Biography: Betty Ann Williams Henderson, born in Branchville, South Carolina, to the late Nuncie and Sallie Williams, transitioned from her earthly home on February 8, 2025, after an extended illness. She was the youngest of ten children.
Betty was educated in Orangeburg County and New York City Public Schools, Betty completed IAOO coursework at The Citadel and the University of South Carolina as well as business courses at Orangeburg-Calhoun Technical College. She was a licensed Real Estate Appraiser and was employed at The Davis Law Firm, Orangeburg, South Carolina, where she worked as a legal assistant for fifteen years.
Betty was united in Holy Matrimony to Ernest Leon Henderson and to this union three children were born: Sheila, Ernest and Kathy.
Prior to retiring as a public-service servant in 2018, she devoted twenty-eight years of extraordinary service to the citizens of Orangeburg through her work as a Tax Assessor of Orangeburg County. She was the first African American female Assessor in the State of South Carolina and the only African American to be inducted into the South Carolina Association of Assessing Officials Hall of Fame. She also served as the Vice President of the Executive Board of Directors of the South Carolina Association of Assessing Officials. For the past twenty years, Betty worked assiduously and tirelessly as Chairman of the Orangeburg County Democratic Party, founding the Party’s first Cook-Off, which has not only become an annual event but a major fundraiser at which elected Democrats show off their culinary expertise and earned bragging rights as the Cook-Off winner. Each year, the event attracts both local and national Democratic leaders, thereby increasing the attendance. Under Betty’s leadership, voter participation became a top priority. Known as one to get results, when the greatest historical opportunity the Party had ever witnessed became a reality, Betty was heard asking, “What are you going to tell your children and grandchildren that you did to help elect the first African American President of the United States?” The Orangeburg County Democratic Party issued over 4,000 tickets, providing an opportunity for South Carolinians to meet then Senator Barack Obama, a presidential candidate, at Claflin University. Orangeburg County was the host county for the first 2008 presidential debate. On that same night, the Orangeburg County Democratic Party and Orangeburg County gave a debate party for constituents, which was the greatest party ever. It was filled with dignity, grace, and assurance; the rest is history.
Betty’s life of service really began when the Civil Rights Act of 1964 was signed into law and was later followed by the Voting Rights Act of 1965. The Orangeburg County-Wide Concerned Citizens Organization was founded during her fifty-year advocacy of voter education/registration, and she served as co-chair, advocating the belief, “If you don’t vote, you don’t have a voice to complain.” Members in this organization were not only instrumental in getting individuals registered to vote but also in encouraging African Americans to seek elected office. Betty was also a founding member of Concerned Citizens of District 93, currently known as District 66; and she served as the first treasurer of the Concerned Citizens.
Betty was the first African American since reconstruction to be elected to the Town Council in Branchville, South Carolina, where she served twelve years as councilwoman and ten years as Mayor Pro Tem. She is one of the founding members of Orangeburg County Family Health Center; a member of the Orangeburg-CalhounAllendale-Bamberg (OCAB) Adult Literacy Board; Orangeburg County Department of Social Services Board; The Regional Medical Center Board; chairman of the Strategic Planning and Facilities Committee; and former CASA Family System Board. She was a member of the NAACP, former member of White Rose Chapter I, former Worthy Matron of White Rose Chapter I, former Queen of the National Order of the Eastern Stars and member of the LaCharm Club. A proud campaign manager for numerous Democratic candidates, Betty brags that those she supported “never lost.”
Betty speaks with overwhelming joy about attending five presidential inaugurations of former United States presidents, including William Clinton (two terms), Jimmy Carter, and Barack Obama (two terms). She has also had the distinct pleasure of meeting and hosting other Democratic candidates, including Mike Gravel, Dennis Kucinich, Hillary Clinton, Joe Biden, John Edwards, Chris Dodd, William “Bill” Clinton, Barack Obama, and Bill Richardson. She worked with her long-time friend, Senator John W. Matthews, Jr., and other Democrats in Orangeburg County who have been recognized for their valuable contributions toward improving the quality of life for citizens in South Carolina. It is significant to mention that Orangeburg County Democratic Party is recognized as one of the most Democratic Counties in the State where all elected officials are Democrats.
Betty’s life-long commitment to helping others make a better life for themselves was evident in numerous awards she received throughout her public service career, including, but not limited to, the following: Certifications from the South Carolina Association of Assessing Officials; the International Association of Assessing Officials; Who’s Who Among Women; the African American Women in Leadership; South Carolina General Assembly in the Senate and House of Representatives; Orangeburg County Council for Outstanding and Innovative Leadership; the NAACP Appreciation Award for Community Service; American Business Women’s Association Business Associate Award; Kappa Alpha Psi Woman of the Year; the Denmark Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Community Service Award; the NAACP Award of Appreciation; The Orangeburg County Consumer Health Council of Family Health Center; South Carolina State University First Lady Scholarship Unsung Heroes in Politics; founding member of Orangeburg County Family Health Center; and the Hickory Grove Baptist Church Award for Leadership and Outstanding Community Service. A member of Canaan Baptist Church in Branchville, South Carolina, where she served as Budget Chairman, Hospitality Committee Chairman, and Program Committee member, Betty was recognized in March 2017 as a faithful member, a trailblazer and entrepreneur, a visionary, and a servant leader. She was the recipient of the Frances E. Wesley Award. Known by all who knew her, and especially her family, as the quintessential exemplar of Christian love. She was never too busy to help others. Her life mirrored her motto,” If I can help someone as I pass along this way, then my living shall not be in vain.”
At the Orangeburg County Democratic Convention on March 22, 2018, Betty was lauded for her exemplary, selfless work for twenty years and was unanimously named chair emerita. In October 2018, Betty was recognized by the Orangeburg County Democratic Party when they renamed their renowned Candidates and Elected Officials Cook-Off in her honor. She was also honored by the South Carolina Democratic Party when she was nominated as a presidential elector for the 2020 election.
In spite of all of her accomplishments, Betty Henderson felt that her greatest accomplishment was the success of her children. She was a mother who did not mind disciplining her children early in their lives; all she had to do was give a certain look for correction. Whenever her children misbehaved—as youth sometimes do--she would chastise them wherever they were. However, she loved her children and grandchildren unconditionally. She taught them to love God, to value family, respect others, and exhibit good work ethic and integrity. She always believed that anything was possible— even at times when she did not know how it was going to happen. She was a devout Christian and a woman of faith who prayed many times a day. Betty was a great provider who always gave her family what they needed and much of what they wanted. In addition, she was always willing to lend a helping hand to others, sometimes sacrificing herself to do so. To her children–Sheila, Ernest and Kathy–Betty was their role model, friend, inspiration, confidante and the “heart” of the family. They often said, “We cherish our mom and are forever grateful that she is our mother!” Her children frequently laughed with amusement that Betty possessed many talents, but remembering names was not one of her gifts, which is why everyone she greeted was affectionately called “Hun.”
Betty was preceded in death by her daughter, Shelia Elaine Edwards; her mother and father, Nunice and Sallie Williams; her siblings: Nathaniel, Johnny, Charles (Laverne), Eddie (Lucy), Jimmy Williams, Jake Barnes (Dallas), Carrie (Delmar) Goodwin, Sallie Brown, Wendy Boone, and Oretta Miller.
Betty leaves to cherish her memories her husband, Ernest Henderson of Branchville, SC; Son, Ernest Fritzgearld (Lavern) Henderson; daughter, Kathy Lorraine Henderson of Branchville, SC; Son-in-law, Reginald Edwards, Springfield, SC; four grandchildren: Reginald Edwards, Jr., Orangeburg, SC; Kimberley Chante’ Henderson, Charleston, SC; Ernest Fritzgerald Henderson, II, Orangeburg, SC; and Micheal Sean Edwards, Springfield, SC; two great-grandchildren, Sol Matisse Henderson and Ivy Elaine Edwards; one brother-in-law, Mr. Glenn Miller; one aunt, Henrietta West of Branchville, SC; two special nieces, Vanessa Burgess of Branchville, SC; and Chinique Brown of Charleston, SC and a host of other nieces, nephews and cousins.
