Rock Hill, SC – Betty Thurmond Hildebrand, 90, of Rock Hill, South Carolina, entered into eternal rest on Easter Sunday, April 9, 2023. Her funeral service will be held Saturday, April 15, 2023, at Oakland Baptist Church in Rock Hill, South Carolina at 2:00. The family will receive friends at 1:00 prior to the service. Interment will be private.
Betty was born February 5, 1933, in Roanoke, Virginia, one of eight children of the late Jack and Lula Thurmond. She graduated from Orangeburg High School in 1951. While in high school, she met the love of her life, Hartwell Hildebrand. The couple married on June 13, 1954. Following Hartwell’s completion of medical school and service in the Air Force, the couple moved to Rock Hill, South Carolina, in 1961 for Hartwell to set up his medical practice.
Betty created a loving and caring home for her husband and their three children. She was active in the Rock Hill community from the time she and Hartwell moved to Rock Hill. She served in the Junior League and York County Medical Auxiliary. She was an active member of Floribunda Gardening Club and Perigee Book Club. She volunteered at Ebinport Elementary School, taught first grade Sunday school at Oakland Baptist Church for thirty years and volunteered at Project Hope House. Betty also loved the game of tennis. She was a tough competitor on the court and won several local tournaments.
Whether it be making gingerbread men for neighborhood families or creating a flower arrangement for a young couple’s wedding, Betty took great joy in doing for others. She will be remembered for her kind heart and love of her family.
Betty is survived by her husband of sixty-eight years, Dr. Hartwell Hildebrand; their son Jim (Alice) Hildebrand of Rock Hill, Dr. Hart Hildebrand of Rock Hill and Dr. Brian Colletto of Rock Hill (Jan Colletto of Rock Hill and Jay Colletto of Rock Hill); their son John Hildebrand of Rock Hill, Emily Hildebrand of Rock Hill; and daughter Sally (Dennis) Rhoad of Charleston, SC, Myers Rhoad (Stephen Kuhn) of Denver, CO, Charlotte Rhoad of Denver, CO.
In honor of Betty, donations may be made to Oakland Baptist Church at 1067 Oakland Avenue, Rock Hill, SC, 29732 or Palmetto Community Health Care at 410 Oakland Avenue, Rock Hill, SC 29732.