Betty Culler Jackson

Betty Culler Jackson, born on August 20, 1925, died peacefully on November 1, 2024, at Eden Terrace Assisted Living facility in Spartanburg, SC. Betty lived a long and fulfilling life, passing at the ripe old age of 99.

During the war years, Betty attended Winthrop College for two years before transferring to the University of South Carolina. While there she met her future husband, James Rhett Jackson. After graduation, she taught high school until she married Rhett, and she often remarked that some of her students were older than she. Smart as she was, Betty had graduated from college a couple of years early.

Betty married Rhett in 1946. After marriage and children, Betty was a stay-at-home Mom for many years. She was a great cook and always had a good “supper” for all the family. She was also in charge of the family finances—and that checkbook had to balance to the penny every month.

In 1975 she and Rhett opened The Happy Bookseller, Columbia’s premier bookstore. The bookstore became the gathering place of friends, authors, the intellectually curious and all book lovers. Betty was as much a fan of books and reading as was Rhett, and she continued to work at the store for several years even after it was sold. They were both advocates of freedom of speech and the freedom to read whatever one chose. “Read Banned Books!” She also proved herself to be a sharp businesswoman.

Betty had an unexpected adventurous side and never shied away from an adventure. She loved the state fair, including the scariest rides. She and Rhett visited their son in Alaska many times and enjoyed the adventures—including excursions to remote villages above the Arctic Circle, an air sightseeing trip and glacier landing at Denali, and numerous trips to remote cabins with no electricity or indoor plumbing.

Betty was a wonderful grandmother, great grandmother and aunt. Her adventurous spirit, her warmth, and her career at the bookstore were an inspiration to all of them.

She attended Trenholm Road United Methodist Church in Columbia for many years. She also attended Central United Methodist Church during the time she was in Spartanburg.

Betty is survived by her two children, Jimmy Jackson (Karen) of Charlottesville, Virginia, and Kay Lawrence (Jack) of Spartanburg, SC; grandchildren Tara Bailey (Jim) of Summerville SC, Ann Parker (Ashley) of Charleston DC, Sara (Rick Carlisle) Lawrence of Durham NC, and Rob Lawrence of Hendersonville NC; great grandchildren Aeon, Rebecca, and Blair Bailey of Summerville SC and Brett, Blake, and Jay Parker of Charlotte NC, as well as many nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents Isadore Lartigue Culler and Kathleen Betsel Culler, she was predeceased by her husband, Rhett Jackson, her brother, William Culler, her sister-in-law Martha Culler, and her grandson Brian Lawrence.

A small family service will be held in the sanctuary of Trenholm Road United Methodist Church in Columbia at 2:00 on November 23, 2024.

Donations in memory of Betty may be made to Trenholm Road United Methodist Church, 3401 Trenholm Road, Columbia SC 29204 or Central United Methodist Church, 233 N. Church Street, Spartanburg SC 29306.

Floyd's North Church Street