Elizabeth "Betty Rose" Hamblin

Elizabeth "Betty Rose" Hamblin, of Charleston, passed away March 18 surrounded by family at Roper Hospital after 70 years and a long, hard-fought illness.

"Betty Rose", or BR as she was affectionately known, was born February 5, 1955 in Hopkinsville, KY. She was a member of the swim team at the Hopkinsville Country Club and attended Hopkinsville High School, where she graduated in 1973.

Not long after graduation, BR welcomed her first child and dedicated the next 25 years to being a mother, while also holding full-time jobs, founding and operating a catering company with her sister, owning a restaurant, and more.

In 1999, Betty Rose decided she needed a change of scenery and moved with her youngest son to Wilmington, NC to be close to the beach, which she had adored since her childhood trips to visit family in Tampa. The transition had its challenges, but she accessed her trademark resilience and quickly made Wilmington home.

A lifelong foodie, BR had a particular fondness for several of the area eateries, including Katie’s, Flaming Amy’s, and Freddie’s. Her passion, though, was Wrightsville Beach and her absolute favorite pass-time was spending the day at the beach with friends and family, especially her granddaughters.

After twelve years in North Carolina and the formation of lifelong friendships, BR came to realize another move was in order. This time, her change of scenery was not so drastic and she moved just down the coast to Charleston. There, she would eventually find what she described as the best job she ever had and spend countless mornings with the two youngest of her six beloved grandchildren, which became her new favorite pass-time.

BR was the life of the party and as tough as they come. Her journey was not an easy one, but she traversed the rough patches with the same grace, dignity, empathy, and uncommon optimism as she did the good times. She will be terribly missed and her memory will be cherished.

Ms. Hamblin is survived by a sister (Mary Thom Hamblin); a brother (Johnny Hamblin); two daughters (Mary Katherine Meadows and Rhiannan Mize Davis); two sons (Randall Blake Mize and Fletcher Thomas Mize); two nieces (Meredith Downey and Lindsey Elizabeth Proud); two nephews (Terry Rogers and Kyle Nelson Clark) five grandchildren (Devon Averitt, Macey Meadows, Lauryn Rose Kennedy, Lillian Rose Davis and Avery Anne Davis); and countless other family members and friends that she counted as family.

She is preceded in death by her Mother, Rosemary Groves Hamblin, her father, Thomas Estil Hamblin, and her grandson, Chancelor Averitt.