Betty Shepherd Lamar died at her home on July 28, 2020. Betty was born June 5, 1928 in Nashville, Tennessee. She was the daughter of David Hall Shepherd and Mildred Ragan Shepherd, both of whom were lifelong Nashvillians. Betty attended Eakin Elementary School, Woodmont School, Hillsboro High School, Ward-Belmont College and George Peabody College – she was a true blue hometown girl.
Following graduation from Ward-Belmont, she happened to meet a young South Carolinian on his break from Davidson College in Daytona Beach, Florida. Two years later, Betty married Howard Henry Lamar, Jr. in Nashville at Second Presbyterian Church on June 24, 1950. Betty, an army officer’s wife, spent over three years in Europe. Following their tour of duty, Betty and Howard settled in the Carolinas, where she lived for approximately 50 years. While there, Betty enjoyed and enthusiastically engaged in many civic and community activities, among others, as a School Board Member of two K-12 schools, a Board member of the Junior League, President of the Greenville County Republican Women, a Director of a Fine Arts Center, the Greenville Symphony, the Greenville Little Theatre and a Hospital Foundation, and as an Elder and Sunday School teacher of the Presbyterian Church (USA). In addition, she had a green thumb and was a gardener extraordinaire!
Betty loved Davidson, Columbia, Greenville and Camden, as each was a Carolina home from 1954-2005. She (aka “Five Box Betty”) was quick to join Howard on a South Carolina fall dove shoot or a cool winter morning brunch gathering with friends after a hunt. Betty loved Howard, their children Elizabeth and Howard, five grandsons, whom she was quick to brag upon whether they deserved it or not, and a lovely great granddaughter born May 20, 2020.
Betty returned to Nashville in 2005 and fittingly left this world from where she began. She is survived by her sister, Jane Shepherd Adams; daughter, Elizabeth Lamar Allen (Tom); son, Howard Henry Lamar III (Elizabeth); grandsons, Richard Warwick Graham, Jr. (Gracie), Harrison Lamar Graham (Elizabeth), David Hall Lamar, Edwin Warner Lamar and Thomas Trent Lamar; niece, Julia Shepherd Adams; and great granddaughter Eve Elizabeth Graham. She was known as “Tiny” to them all… and that she was!
Betty made many friends along her path. They loved her, cared for her and remained in touch all along her journey. She fought the good fight, finished the race and kept the faith, and now rests joyfully with her Maker and Howard, who predeceased her in 1988. Betty greatly admired Dr. John R. Gibson, her talented physician, who lovingly and gracefully cared for her. Her family is grateful for his love and compassion for her as a patient and cousin.
A graveside family service of witness to the resurrection will be held on August 18, 2020 at Spring Hill Cemetery, Nashville at 10:30 (am). Memorials can be made to Belmont University, the Greenville Symphony, Fine Arts Center of Kershaw County, Westminster Presbyterian Church, Nashville, or the charity that gives you happiness to support.
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