Martha “Bettye” Hinson Rawls, age 95, has passed away.
Bettye was born on May 20, 1928, in Charlotte, NC to Rea Hinson and Martha Jones Hinson. She graduated from Central High School and from Winthrop College (now University) where she earned a degree in music. She taught choral music in public school for 38 years, at Fort Mill High School, Riverview Elementary, Rock Hill High School, and Rawlinson Road Junior High (now Middle) School. She taught piano in her home and played piano for the Barber-Hardin Sunday school class at St. John’s United Methodist Church for over 50 years. She served as President of the Rock Hill Music Club numerous times.
In 1951 she married Curtis Hilton Rawls of Rock Hill, SC. They were married for 72 years. She and her husband were charter members of the Rock Hill Country Club. She enjoyed sewing and “gallivanting” through antique shops. She and her family spent many happy days vacationing at their beach house in Cherry Grove. She was much loved by her family and all the family pets and grandpets.
She is survived by her three children: Brenda (Jeff) Ethington of Spartanburg, Glenn Rawls of Columbia, and Michael Rawls of Moncks Corner. She is survived by her brother, Rea (Sandra) Hinson, Jr. of Spring, TX. She is also survived by nephews Stan (Donna) Rawls and Eli (Cindy) Hinson, nieces Carol Ann (Tom) McNellis and Rose Ann (Perry) Sansone, as well as great nephews Eli Hinson Jr., Ryan McNellis, Ben Sansone, and great nieces Laura Hinson and Caroline and Allie Sansone.
She was predeceased by her parents and husband. She was also predeceased by her nephew Rea Hinson III, her great niece Lauren McNellis, and great nephew Kelly Rawls. She was also predeceased by her honorary extra child, Laura Long.
Memorials may be sent to Winthrop University Department of Music, the music fund at St. John’s United Methodist Church, 321 S. Oakland Ave, Rock Hill, SC 29730, or by contacting the Rock Hill Music Club at RockHillMusicClub.org.
A graveside service will be held at 2:00PM on Sunday April 28, 2024, at Forest Hills Cemetery, 4290 Old York Rd, Rock Hill, SC 29732, with a church service following at 3:00PM at Saint John’s United Methodist Church, 321 S Oakland Ave, Rock Hill, SC 29730.