Betty Mae Brown

Betty Mae Brown, age 97 of Garden City Beach, South Carolina, formerly of O’Fallon and Wentzville, Missouri, went to Heaven on Palm Sunday, March 29th, 2026 with her 2 daughters holding her hands.

She was born Betty Mae Kleeschulte on July 17th, 1928 at the family home in O’Fallon, Missouri. She was the baby of twelve. Her parents were Frederick Kleeschulte and Frances Schwegman Kleeschulte. She received her Sacraments of Baptism, Penance, Holy Eucharist, Confirmation and Holy Matrimony at Assumption Catholic Church in O’Fallon, Missouri, the beautiful church that her father helped to build. After her marriage to Robert Dickherber, they became parishioners of St. Patrick Catholic Church in Wentzville, Missouri. Betty was very active with the parish where she was a member of the Ladies Sodality and the Repast Committee.

After 30+ years there and her daughters were grown and married, she moved to Garden City Beach, SC in May 1991 where she joined St. Michael Catholic Church. She became a Perpetual Adorer choosing the early morning hours of 2 to 3a.m. or 3 to 4a.m insisting that not too many folks like being with the Lord during those time frames. She was certain it was safe. Her prayer times were consistent with daily Divine Mercy Chaplet and her rosary times with the Blessed Mother.
 

She enjoyed her life to the fullest. Always busy. Never idle hands. She was always cooking, baking, sewing,embroidering, quilting and doing latch hook rugs and wall hangings, including gorgeous wall hangings of the Head of Our Lord that each had over 15,000 threads. She was most proud of them.
 

She loved to dance, listen to music, work jigsaw puzzles, playing Rummi-Kub, any card game, especially Gin Rummy, where she took great pride in beating her opponents.
She held many job positions, primarily as a factory worker. She started her working career in a shoe factory sewing the soles on men’s dress shoes. After she married she worked in a garment factory sewing Bobbie Brooks women’s clothing. After her two daughters were in school, she returned to the work force in a company where she helped build portable houses/hospital units for the men and women overseas in the military. After that she went to work for Reckitt Benckiser, previously Airwick Industries where she worked on a line where she packaged chlorine tablets for swimming pools, handling 50 pound drums of chlorine sticks. The company also produced Airwick Solid and Glade air fresheners, as well as French’s products. She finally retired from there in December 1988 with a fond farewell party.
She is survived by her daughters, Ramona McCoy of Surfside Beach, SC, Sheila Paras of Garden City Beach, SC and her Son-in-Law, Ramona's husband, who was more like a son to her for over 48 years. Many nieces, nephews and great nieces and nephews and countless friends from everywhere. She was admired, respected and loved by everyone. She will be greatly missed by all who knew her.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Fritz and Frances, her 6 sisters:  Marie Gajdowski, Irene Ward, Bernice Rotizza, Loretta Bilzing, Lou Dickherber, LouAnna Starkweather. Her 5 brothers: Raymond, Vincent, Clarence, Eugene and Elmer Kleeschulte. Her sweet nieces: Mickey Scholle, Linda Higbee, Francy Vomund and Myrna Schafer. Her loving nephews: Bert Eisenbath, Wayne Lee Kleeschulte, Donnie Kleeschulte and Dennis Kleeschulte. Also, a great niece Robyn Edmon and great nephews Mike Jordan and Terry Scholle. Husbands, Robert Dickherber and Raymond Brown. And most dear to her heart, her one and only grandchild, her "Little Bright Eyes", granddaughter, Valerie Paras.
 

Betty’s Mass of Christian Burial will be held 10 AM Thursday May 7, 2026 at St. Michael Catholic Church, 542 Cypress Avenue Murrells Inlet, SC. Mass will begin promptly at 10 AM. Please arrive in the back of Church by 9:45 AM. For those who cannot attend the Mass will be livestreamed. To view the ceremony go to the website www.saintmichaelsc.net Just follow the tabs to the livestream.  It will be labeled Betty Mae Brown Funeral and will be available 5 minutes prior to the service (9:55 AM)
As Betty requested, there will be a party immediately following the Mass at the home of her daughter Ramona 1460 Crooked Pine Drive Surfside Beach, SC. Food, beverages and memories to share by all.
 

Betty wanted her family and friends to make a donation to the charity of their choosing.
 

Special thanks go to way too many to mention but particular thanks to Dianne Burkemper, Allison Thompson, Valerie Martin, Your Health, (formerly South Carolina House Calls), especially Lindsay Nelms, PA who was the Love of her Life, always full of love and encouragement. Kristen Martin, RN also with Your Health. All the caring staff at Crescent Hospice, particularly Stacy Smith, RN and Jan Siqueira, CNA, who Betty was thrilled to see 5 days a week. They built a special bond together. Betty’s sweet caregiver, Elaine Martin. Dear friends, Paul and Josie Mastriola, Rick and Donna Stachowicz. St. Michael Catholic Church for being her awesome place of refuge. Great heartfelt thanks to Fr. Boniface and Fr. Joseph. Certain appreciation to Burroughs Funeral Home and Cremation services who took gentle care of our Miss Betty
 

Rest in the sweet, loving arms of the Lord you adored all your life!

Online condolences may be expressed at www.burroughsfh.com

Burroughs Funeral Home & Cremation Services of Murrells Inlet, SC (843.651.1440) is assisting the family.