Elizabeth Jane (Betty) Horton Martin, age 102, of Anderson, SC, passed away on Sunday, August 18, 2024, at The Garden House of Anderson.

Betty worked for Anderson's Daily Mail newspaper for 25 years retiring in 1984. She served the Daily Mail and the then Independent-Mail as Society Editor. In 1978, she received the King Award Newspaper Woman of the Year for her outstanding service and writing skills.

During her high school years she wrote for the school's newspaper and then at the University of Georgia, where she earned an A.B. in Journalism, she was assistant editor of the university's Red and Black newspaper. It was during this time that she met her future husband, Carroll Proctor "Scoop" Scruggs, who also earned an A.B. degree in Journalism.

At UGA, she became one of the first female cheerleaders. Prior to the four female cheerleaders, UGA only had males for their cheer squad. She was also a member of the Alpha Delta Pi Sorority during her years at the university and helped start the sorority chapter at Valdosta State University when she, her husband, and two daughters lived there for several years.

She served as a Lay Reader for Grace Episcopal Church, served on the Vestry and taught a Sunday School class. Betty was a lifelong member of this church and also served on the Board of Kanuga Conference Center in Hendersonville, NC.

Her hobby was art and she won awards at the Anderson State Fair, served on the Arts Council, and was commissioned to paint portraits of people in Anderson and Greenville.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Louis Stanton Horton and Eleanor (Nell) Luscombe Quinn Horton, first husband Carroll Proctor Scruggs, and second husband Redus Robert Martin, formerly of Belton. She has two daughters, Virginia Carolyn Scruggs and Eleanor Scruggs Trammell (Jerry). Also, she has two granddaughters, Elyse Trammell O'Neil (Jamie) and Lauren Trammell Reach (Dan) and a great-grandson, Charlie Reach.

The funeral service will be held Saturday, August 24, 2024, at 3:00 pm at Grace Episcopal Church with Father Jack Hardaway officiating. Burial will follow at Old Silver Brook Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Grace Episcopal Church, 711 S. McDuffie St., Anderson, SC 29624.