We would like to remember the below members of the National Federation of the Blind of SC and their contributions to the organization.
August 2019 – August 2020
Columbia Chapter
Dr. Donald C. Capps- former NFB of SC state president and prominent leader of the national organization serving on the NFB national board for many years
Dr. Marvin Efron – former member of the Advisory Board of the Federation Center of the Blind and served the blindness community in his optometric practice for nearly 70 years
Pat Hatcher – volunteer reader and generous Rocky Bottom donor
Leon Hines, Sr.
Mary McNeal
Stanley – Steve Cook’s guide dog
Debbie Welch
Clarendon County Chapter
Mattie Nell McKenzie – mother of Marty McKenzie
Lee County Chapter
Roland Simon – father of Linda Dizzley
Sumter Chapter
Calvin Addison
Nolan Bossard
Nancy Lovelace
Laurens County Chapter
Doris Bell – wife of Bob Bell, an early leader in the NFB of SC
Chesterfield County Chapter
Dorcas Campbell
Spartanburg Chapter
Christopher Jeter
Milford Haycraft – husband of Diane Haycraft
Loris Chapter
Marie Smith
Emma Toch
Ralph Ellenberg – Rocky Bottom benefactor and former Chairman of the Rocky Bottom Advisory Board
August 2018 – August 2019
William “Six” Branch, Upper Dorchester County chapter
Teena Adams, Columbia
Liana Hall, Columbia
Blanche Gamble Odom, Clarendon County
Padgett McKenzie, Lake City
Helen Betty Dean Rogers Capps, Associate Member of the COLUMBIA Chapter
Helen Betty Dean Rogers Capps, 87, passed away after a long illness at her home in Columbia on December 17, 2018. Born on May 5, 1931 in Marion County, SC, she was a daughter of the late Bert Rogers and Gertrude Williams Rogers. She graduated from Mullins High School in 1949 and later Draughon’s Business College in Columbia. She married Donald C. Capps in 1949. Betty was a member of Kilbourne Park Baptist Church for 65 years. Alongside her husband, she was a dedicated member of the National Federation of the Blind and worked tirelessly for over 60 years to improve the lives of blind people. This work included travel to all 50 states and several foreign countries; including Australia, Egypt, and Spain. Don and Betty received numerous awards as a result of their advocacy work for the blind, including the South Carolina Order of the Palmetto. “Miss Betty” as she was frequently called, was beloved by thousands of blind people. Prior to having her first child, Betty was employed with First National Bank and later the South Carolina Department of Health. Don and Betty had two children, Donald Craig Capps and the late Helen Elizabeth Capps Holdcraft. In addition to her husband and son, she is survived by her brother, Eugene F. Rogers; sister, Lucille Rogers; grandchildren, Aaron Holdcroft, Michael Holdcroft, and Laura Holdcroft Setters; great-grandchildren, Brooke Holdcraft, Mason Setters, Elizabeth Setters, Juliet Setters; son-in-law, David Setters; as well as numerous nieces and nephews. In lieu of flowers, living memorials may be made to the Federation Center of the Blind, 119 South Kilbourne Road, Columbia, SC 29205.
Terry Knox, member of the Grand Strand Chapter
Ruth Weeks
A charter member of our state organization passed away on Saturday September 1, at 10:00a.m. “Miss Ruth” as she was affectionately known by many of our members, was one of a small group of blind individuals who came together with their leader, Dr. Samuel M. Lawton, to form the Aurora Club of the Blind in Spartanburg, SC in 1944.
Mary Urbanek, Associate Member of the Columbia Chapter
Viola Martin, Associate Member of the Columbia Chapter
August 2017 – August 2018
Sumter Chapter
David Briggs
Betty Spencer
Ralph Cowley
Elizabeth Oxiden
Kayshawna Givens
Rock Hill Chapter
Martha Gaston
Tim Cox
SC Commission for the Blind
Dennis Abdala
John aiken
Betty blackman
Grand Strand Chapter
Sarah Neuighbors
Cherokee County Chapter
Allen davis
Columbia Chapter
Wanda Sheck
Ruby Bryannt
Federation Center of the Blind Board Member
Steve truella jr.
Union Chapter
Mary maness
Conway Chapter
Kay ellen bernardo
Newberry Chapter
Patricia Warrington, Larry Warrington’s mom