Elizabeth C 'Betty' Dauchert

Elizabeth “Betty” Capers Dauchert passed away on Monday, February 17, 2014 while a resident at the Village at Summerville. Betty was known to all as a wonderful wife and mother, a dedicated teacher and a champion to many who were less fortunate. She was an inspiration to all who knew and worked with her and she will be dearly missed. Throughout her life, she had a strong Christian faith. Betty brought much joy to all those she came in contact with through her keen intellect and sense of humor. Betty was born in Atlanta, Georgia on December 24, 1925. Her family moved to Dallas, Texas when she was a young child and she grew up there and attended Southern Methodist University. After graduation, she attended graduate school at the University of Wisconsin in Madison, Wisconsin and received her M.A. degree English Literature. While working on her graduate degree she met fellow student Eugene “Gene” Dauchert, to whom she was married for 57 years. After graduate school, Betty and Gene relocated to Kinston, North Carolina, where they raised their family. Initially, Betty was active in many civic and church groups, and then accepted a position as an English teacher at Lenoir Community College. In 1976, Betty and Gene relocated to the Charleston area, and she continued teaching at Trident Technical College in North Charleston, where she became Dean of Remedial Studies. After her retirement, Betty continued her lifelong interest in learning and in her efforts to help others. She and Gene traveled to many new places and participated in numerous Elderhostel programs. She volunteered with the Dorchester Literacy Program and Meals on Wheels. She developed a particular interest in Dorchester Habitat for Humanity, and with the help of many friends and her husband Gene, made handmade Christmas ornaments and other craft items, which were sold with all proceeds donated to Habitat. After many years and sales of thousands of handmade ornaments, enough funds were raised to completely pay for one Habitat home. For her dedication and years of work for Habitat she was presented with the Governor’s Award for volunteering and making her community a better place for everyone. Through her life, Betty maintained a strong faith and was also very active in the church, both at the First Presbyterian Church in Kinston and then at Summerville Presbyterian Church, where she served on the Board of Elders. She was honored with a lifetime membership in the Presbyterian Women. She is survived by her two sons, Eugene F. Dauchert, Jr. (Katherine) of Durham, North Carolina and Richard M. Dauchert (Carola) of Anderson, South Carolina, and her daughter, Elizabeth Dauchert DeBernardi (Chris) of Peoria, Illinois. She is survived by six grandchildren, Jonathan Dauchert (Heather) of Atlanta, Georgia; Stephen Dauchert (Leigh) of Raleigh, North Carolina; Sam Dauchert of Anderson, South Carolina; and David, Andrew and Michael DeBernardi of Peoria, Illinois. A Memorial Service will be held Saturday, February 22, 2014 at 2 p.m. at the Lola Johnson Memorial Chapel at the Village at Summerville following a private burial service. The family will receive friends after the service. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Dorchester Habitat for Humanity, 101 Greyback Road, Summerville, SC 29483; Summerville Presbyterian Church, 407 South Laurel Street, Summerville, SC 29483 or The Village at Summerville-PSNC, 201 W. 9th North Street, Summerville, SC 29483. ARRANGEMENTS BY PALMETTO CREMATION SOCIETY, CHARLESTON, SC.