Elsie "Billie" Baldwin Bentz

Elsie Mae Baldwin Bentz (Billie) died February 11, 2018, of natural causes at The Renaissance Independent &Assisted Living Facility in Due West, SC.

Billie was born in West Columbia, SC, October 10, 1928, daughter of Atticus Hagood Baldwin and Jessie Mae Mathews Baldwin. After her mother's death, her father married Sarah Elizabeth Smith who raised Billie and four other sisters. Billie graduated from Dreher High School in Columbia and Erskine College in Due West.

After graduating college, she married Joseph A, Bentz, Sr. (Joe) and lived in New Jersey. They raised two children Sara (Libby) B. Folk of Due West, SC and Joseph A. Bentz, Jr, of New York City, NY. She enjoyed a long teaching career while living in New Jersey before retiring and returning to live in Due West.

In her retirement, she volunteered at various organizations using her teaching skills including serving on the Abbeville County Library Board and teaching adult reading. She was an avid reader and long-term member of the Due West Book Club and a member of the Due West Associated Reformed Presbyterian Church. She enjoyed a long retirement with her husband Joe before his passing in 2003 and continued on until her death.

She was also preceded in death by her parents and step-mother; and sisters, Ms. Cynthia Baldwin of Chester, IL, Mrs. Sara Jean Capps of Gulfport, MS and Mrs. Jessie Matthews Coward of Black Forest, CO. Surviving family members include her daughter Libby; son, Joseph Jr.; sisters, Mrs. Cecille Erwin (Larry) of Rock Hill, SC, and Mrs. Nancy Stuckey (Jerry) of Pinopolis, SC; granddaughter Kathleen (Katie) Folk Felton (Ray); grandson, Joseph (Jeff) Jefferson Folk (Lindsey); great-granddaughter, Sahara Felton and family friend Carl S. Rosoff.

Special thanks to Reverend Calvin Draffin for his continued visits and friendship. Also thanks to the special staff and residents at the Renaissance for all their support and love during her stay.

Visitation will be from 1PM until 2 PM at the Due West Associated Reformed Presbyterian Church Wednesday afternoon followed by funeral services at 2:00 PM in the church with the Rev. Calvin Draffin officiating. The burial will follow in the church cemetery. Memorials may be sent to Hospice Care of South Carolina at 114 Court Square, Abbeville, SC 29620.

Visitation

Due West ARP Church
112 Main St
Due West, SC  29639
Wednesday, February 14, 2018
1:00 until 2:00 PM

Service

Due West ARP Church
112 North Main Street
Due West, SC  29639
Wednesday, February 14, 2018
2:00 PM

Interment

Due West ARP Church Cemetery
112 N. Main St.
Due West ,  SC  29639

Memorial Contributions

Hospice Care of South Carolina
114 Court Square
Abbeville, SC 29620