Remembering Betty Dent
November 12, 2014
Ministry, civic duty marked her life
Betty Dent, a former member of the Columbia International University Board of Trustees and a longtime supporter of CIU, passed away in West Columbia, South Carolina on Nov. 10. She was 82.
Betty supported her husband, the late Harry Dent Sr. as he served in numerous leadership positions in state and federal government, including service in the White House under President Richard Nixon and as an advisor to Presidents Jerry Ford and George H.W. Bush.
In the mid-1970s, Betty served on the S.C. Mental Health Advisory Board and was recognized as one of the Ten Most Outstanding Women in Columbia.
Betty and Harry served together in ministry, founding Laity Alive and Serving in 1985, through which they coordinated mission trips around the world, especially to Romania. Betty also coordinated Market Place Bible Studies and assisted Harry when he was chairman of the Billy Graham Crusade in Columbia. In 1992, Betty and Harry wrote “Right Versus Wrong: Solutions to the American Nightmare,” detailing stories of their upbringing in dysfunctional and alcoholic homes.
Dent was also a former member of the Ben Lippen School Board of Directors. Ben Lippen is a Pre-K to 12 grade ministry of CIU.
Betty Dent’s memorial service will be celebrated on Saturday, Nov.15 at 3:30 p.m. at the place she loved most: Columbia International University. Visitation will begin at 2:00. Both the visitation and memorial service will be in Shortess Chapel.
More details on the life of Betty Dent can be found at: http://www.thompsonsfuneral.com/obituaries/Betty-Dent/.
Founded in 1923, Columbia International University is private, Christian and multidenominational. CIU specializes in Bible-centered professional development that prepares students to impact the nations with the message of Christ in ministry and the marketplace. The university is recognized for its emphasis on biblical authority and world evangelization. www.ciu.edu
