Patcelia S. Belton

Mrs. Patcelia S. Belton was born May 31, 1924 in Ridgeway, South Carolina (Kershaw County) and went home to be with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on June 3, 2019 at 11:20 PM in her home. She was with her daughter Harriette and her son Miles.

Mrs. Belton was educated in the public schools in Columbia, South Carolina. She attended Howard Elementary School (Huger Street) and Booker T. Washington High School and graduated from Dent Middle School under the tutelage of the Late Willie R. Rogers, where she received her high school diploma. Her education was put on hold during her younger years because she was marrying the love of her life, the Late Sonney B. Belton. After marriage and giving birth, she began to work for the South Carolina Tuberculosis Center in the State Park Community and later transferred to the Crafts Farrow Hospital here on Farrow Road. And after 34 plus years of service, she retired from the State.

Mrs. Patcelia S. Belton was named "Mother of the Church" at Zion Canaan Baptist Church in 1993, where enjoyed Sunday School, Bible Study, and Vacation Bible School where she gave the children four shortbread cookies. She volunteered her services in the church's kitchen. She was the oldest member by baptism at church and the second oldest by age.

She demonstrated her work by walking the streets of the community with hot pots and pans to feed the shut-ins and neighbors in need. Not only did she take pots and pans of food into the house, she sat there and spoon fed them to make sure that they ate, especially those who were not able to feed themselves. She was known for sharing food that the church did not eat at revival and instituted food sharing with the Oliver Gospel Mission.

She was also known as the State Park Community taxi cab for Sunday School and grocery shopping, whereas she made sure the kids in the community would be in Sunday School. She was a State Park community leader and advocated for children and adults to continue their education for betterment in later life. She made sure children in the community had coats, caps and shoes during the winter months by purchasing them with her personal funds.

Sister Belton was a faithful member of Queen Esther Chapter One (Order of the Eastern Stars) for more than 58 years, where she served most of those years as an officer. She has received many awards from many civic organizations from the State of South Carolina House of Representatives. Her willingness to aid and assist her fellowman without questioning her results was a virtue that she gratefully shared and showed her love for her fellow man. She enjoyed eating and cooking for people. She is best known for her quick wit. She always had a reserved answer.

Sister Belton was preceded in death by her late husband, Mr. Sonney B. Belton and mother Mrs. Harriet Green.

She leaves to mourn her five children: Willie James (Jettiva) Belton, Sidney Blease (Effie) Belton; Harriette Lillian Dreher, of Columbia, SC; Patrick Henry (Kathleen) Belton, Riverside, California; and Miles Olden Belton, of Columbia, SC. She has 11 grandchildren, 24 great grandchildren, and 5 great great grandchildren and a host of other loving relatives, family and friends.

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