Lawrence "Larry" Dennis Betsill

Fort Mill, South Carolina 

Lawrence (Larry) D. Betsill, 73, of Fort Mill, SC, entered into eternal rest on Friday, January 31, 2025.

Born July 28, 1951 in Brooklyn, NY, he was the son of Wilhelmina Betsill and George DeCou, Jr. Preceding him in immortality were his parents, sister, Stamatia Betsill, grandparents, and great-grandparents who were instrumental in his upbringing.

Larry grew up in Brevard and was baptized at Bethel “A” Baptist Church, where he faithfully served as the bell ringer every Sunday during his teens and sang in the youth choir. His formal education began at Rosenwald School. He graduated from Brevard High School in 1969. After high school he attended Brevard College where he studied Business, then moved to Brooklyn, NY to begin his career. Before

retiring in 2024, Larry enjoyed a lucrative career of 54 years in the finance profession, most of those

years working as a corporate bond trader. While living in Gillette, NJ, Larry and his wife, Marguerite, were active members of Fountain Baptist Church, Summit, NJ from 1986 to 2022. Larry was a member of the Men’s Choir and enjoyed traveling on foreign mission trips. He also provided his leadership expertise as President of the local Lion’s Club chapter, and was honored with The Melvin Jones Fellow for Humanitarian Service award.

He is survived by his loving wife, Marguerite Gardner Betsill of the home; twin sister, Linda Betsill Paige (Bill) of Somerset, NJ; sisters Denise DeCou and Debra DeCou-Winston, of St Louis, MO; brother, Derek DeCou of West Haven, CT;  and great-uncle, L. C. Betsill of Brevard.  Larry was especially close to his nephews and nieces: Kendell Robinson, Lukia Cox Thomas, Wilhelmina Robinson Wright, Wilma Robinson Waytes, Rodiah Gardner, Natasha Gardner, Jennifer Gardner, Yvonne Gardner, Noelle Casaine, Chris Casaine, Arianne Casaine, Carrie Savage, Jasmine DeCou, George M. DeCou, Jennifer Winston, Jeffery Winston, and Jai Winston. Larry was honored to be the Godfather of Marguerite Tucker and

Skylar Tucker. He experienced great joy spending time with those he cherished. In turn, he left an indelible impression of love on many other dearly beloved great-nieces, great-nephews, aunts, uncles, cousins, in-laws, extended family and close friends. He will be greatly missed until we join him in the Lord’s Paradise.

Larry always loved the community where he grew up. It was his desire, therefore, that his remains be brought back to Brevard to lay in rest. Funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Friday, February 7, 2025, at Bethel “A” Baptist Church, 290 Oakdale Street. The body will be placed in the church one hour prior to the service for viewing.  Reverend Pamela Holder will officiate and Reverend David Wright will eulogize. Burial will be at Cooper’s Cemetery immediately following the service.

The Betsill Family have entrusted arrangements to Roseboro's Mortuary & Crematory.

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