Betty Jean Simmons

Her Life Story

Betty “Jean” Simmons, affectionately known as “BJ” was born April 21, 1960, in Walterboro, SC.

She was the daughter of the late Geneva and Emmanuel Whitlock. Our beloved BJ departed this

earthly life on Thursday, October 17, 2025, at MUSC.

Betty was educated in the Colleton County School District and graduated from Walterboro High

School, Class of 1976. From there, Betty was an employee of Beaufort County School

District in the transportation department, and the Boys Group Home in Beaufort, SC. After

years of service in Beaufort County, she returned to Colleton County and continued to drive the

school bus until retirement. Betty was also the General Manager of EnMarket (now Nouria),

managing the store on Edisto Beach and finally EnMarket 1429 (Nouria) until her health

declined.

She was known for her loving spirit, giving heart, stern personality, and amazing cooking. Betty

never met a stranger and had a gift for making everyone feel welcomed. She took great pride in

preparing meals for the church, family, and friends whenever they asked, and she arguably

made the best dirty rice, macaroni, and peach cobbler. She had a special place in her heart for

children and students and was always willing to do anything she could for anyone in need.

Betty is preceded in death by her loving parents; a brother, Rudolph Whitlock; a niece, Nikki

Whitlock; the late William Rivers; a brother-in-law, Ernest Rivers, and three nephews, Derrick,

Nod, and Jay Rivers.

Leaving to cherish her memories are her daughters, Candice (Torez) Williams of Spartanburg, SC

and Shareece (Marquise) Norman of Woodruff, SC; 2 bonus sons; 4 grandchildren, Chase

Norman, Carter Williams, Dallas Norman, and Kameron Williams; and 2 bonus grandchildren; a

loving and devoted sister, Elizabeth (Billy) Mitchell of Green Pond, SC; brothers, Willie (Alice)

Whitlock of New York; Emanuel (Mary) Whitlock of Walterboro SC; Raymond (Lisa) Whitlock of

Winnsboro, SC; Larry (Teresa) Whitlock of Syracuse, NY; and Ronald (Lisa) Hungine, Sr. of

Augusta, GA. Sister in laws, Ethel (John) Thompson of Charleston, SC; Vera (Isadore) Harley of

Swansea, SC; Teen (Frank) Middleton of Gainesville, FL; and Ladon (Ernest-deceased) Rivers;

Brother In-laws; Larry (Minnie) Rivers of Green Pond, SC; Charles (Yolanda) Rivers of Palo Alto,

CA; Frederick (Angie) Rivers of Jackson, MS and Lawrence Fields of Walterboro, SC. A special

nephew, George “Quentin” (Stephanie) Brown; devoted friend, Priscilla (Tim) Hamilton; and a

host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and close friends whom she loved and cared for dearly.

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