10/19/2025
With love and gratitude, we celebrate the life of Betty Jean Mitchum Mainprize, a devout Christian, cherished wife, loving mother, and proud grandmother. Her faith and kind spirit shone through all she did.
Betty found her greatest purpose in sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ. Known to some in her young adult years as Betty White, she entered eternal peace and the loving arms of her Savior on October 13, 2025, at the age of 82.
A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, October 25, 2025, at Sunny Vista Church Of God, located at 3021 Dragstrip Road, North, South Carolina 29112, with Pastor Nick Haines officiating.
Born in Lexington, South Carolina, to the late George Eugene Mitchum and Ethel Lean Shumpert Mitchum, Betty was raised on the strong values of hard work and family. Her parents worked alternating shifts at the cotton mill so someone was always home to care for the children and tend to their homestead. Their love and dedication built the foundation for Betty’s own life of devotion and service.
Betty was athletic and full of energy from a young age. In eighth grade, she ran track and was so fast that she often competed alongside the high school seniors. In her teens and early twenties, she shared her love of movement as a dance instructor at Arthur Murray Dance Studios. For fun nights out with friends, Betty loved visiting the Skyline Club, where she could dance the night away, always with joy in her heart and never a drink in her hand.
Betty took great pride in her work as a seamstress at Ambler Industries, a job she often called her favorite. Her strong work ethic and spirited personality earned her the admiration of her coworkers, who elected her to serve as their union spokesperson. In that role, she represented her fellow seamstresses at several conventions, including memorable trips to Los Angeles, California, and Washington, D.C., where she met then-Senator Floyd Spence and had her photo taken with him.
Betty’s spirit shone brightest as a devoted mother to her daughter, Venus, and sons, Victor and Anthony. She raised them with love, discipline, and faith, ensuring they were in church every time the doors were open. Her children carry forward her values of responsibility, respect, and joy in their own lives.
She adored her seven grandchildren—Eric, Johnathan, Matthew, Miranda, Miah, Dillon, and Preston. She lovingly cared for many of them during summer break and after school, filling their days with laughter, games, and life lessons. Her competitive spirit came alive during games of Yahtzee—her favorite—where none of them ever stood a chance at winning. She’d grin and say, “Ugh, that dice fell right out of my hand,” just to sneak in another roll.
Some of their fondest memories were spent with her on the patio swing, the air filled with her singing and the soft rhythm of her crocheting. She’d sing her favorite tune, “Summertime,” as they swung side by side—moments that will live on in their hearts forever.
In 1991, Betty married her beloved husband, Louis “Denis” Mainprize, sharing 34 wonderful years together. Their love story began through pen and paper as pen pals—a friendship that blossomed into a lifelong bond. Betty was drawn to Denis’s adventurous spirit, humor, and kindness.
In a true act of love, Denis moved from Canada to South Carolina to marry Betty.
Together they built a home rooted in faith and love. Over the years, they returned to Canada often, where Betty grew to love its rocky landscapes, golden prairies, and majestic mountains. She delighted in exploring Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and Alberta—hiking the badlands, camping in the Rockies, and traveling the Icefields Parkway with awe and gratitude.
For their family in Canada, one of their fondest memories of Betty was her lively competitive spirit—she once organized a two-day Sequence tournament while camping in the heart of the Rockies, a true testament to the bond they shared through love, laughter, and play.
Whether soaking in nature’s splendor or sharing a lively game of Yahtzee, Dice, or Sequence with family, Betty’s joyful spirit shone through in everything she did. She fell in love not only with Denis but also with his children—Leona, Brenda, Rodney, Denise, and the grandchildren—whom she loved just as her own, extending her heart and care to each of them and their families.
In Betty’s later years, her heart grew even fuller with the arrival of her great-grandchildren—her “latest and greatest love.” She often stopped by their homes with sweet treats, stealing tight hugs and kisses. They brought her endless joy and laughter, continuing the beautiful legacy of love she built throughout her life.
Together, Betty and her husband Denis answered God’s call to serve in a heartfelt ministry at The Samaritan House, where they devoted more than five years of their time, love, and energy to ministering to the children who lived there. Their work reflected their deep faith and compassion, and the lives they touched continue to bear witness to their devotion and grace.
She was preceded in death by her parents; and her siblings, Bessie Mae Mitchum Buzzard, Jessie Lee Mitchum Kyzer, George Edward “Country” Mitchum, Annette Lela Mitchum Birchmore, Anthony Leo Mitchum, Robert Alvin Mitchum, and David Eugene Mitchum.
She is survived by her devoted husband of 34 years, Louis “Denis” Mainprize; her beloved children, Venus White, Victor (April) White, and Charles “Anthony” (Tracy) White; and Denis’s children—Leona (Colin) Messer, Brenda (Ken) Friedrick, Rodney Mainprize, and Denise (Pat) Seaborn. She also leaves behind her loving sister, Margaret Earline Mitchum Kennerly, her last surviving sibling; and sister-in-laws, Gloria Mitchum and Robin Mitchum; her grandchildren—Eric (Hannah) Free, Johnathan Free, Matthew Judy, Miranda White, Miah (Michael) Smith, Dillon White, and Preston White—along with ten great-grandchildren, twelve grandchildren by marriage, and twenty-one great-grandchildren by marriage. She is also survived by a special niece, Lisa “Johnette” (Tony) Jackson and life long friend Faye (Danny) Folge.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Samaritan House of Orangeburg, South Carolina, which provides a safe and compassionate place for the unhoused members of our community.
With love and gratitude, we celebrate the life of Betty Jean Mitchum Mainprize, a devout Christian, cherished wife, loving mother, and proud grandmother. Her faith and kind spirit shone through all she did. Betty found her greatest purpose in sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ. Known to some in her
