Gayle Belvin Obituary

Gayle Hamilton Belvin, 82, died peacefully on June 18, 2025 at the Still Hopes Retirement Community in West Columbia, SC. Gayle was born on December 25, 1942, in Atlanta, GA. The first of two daughters of the late James William Hamilton and Cornelia Bowden Hamilton. She earned a B.A. degree in English from the University of Georgia and an M.Ed. Degree from the University of South Carolina. She taught English in public schools in Georgia, Kentucky, and South Carolina. After retiring, she served as an adjunct instructor at Midlands Technical College. She was twice recognized as Teacher of the Year at schools where she taught. Until Parkinson's Disease began to take its toll, Gayle was a constant reader, particularly fond of Emily Dickinson, Jane Austen, the Brontes, and, more recently, Jodi Picoult. She loved to travel, especially to Europe and the American national parks. She grudgingly accompanied her husband and two sons to many a baseball game. Gayle was a faithful member of Trenholm Road United Methodist Church where she co-led a Women's Bible Study Group for many years and served on the Congregational care Committee. She cherished her friends in the Contemporary Issues Sunday School Class. Gayle is survived by her high school sweetheart and husband of sixty years, William L. Belvin, Jr., and by her sons, Brent H. Belvin (Dena) of Durham, NC, and Robert A. Belvin (Vien) of Woodstock, GA; sisters June H. Johnston (Jerry) of Eatonton, GA, and Christine Hartley of Highlands Ranch, CO. Also Surviving are dearly loved granddaughters Ellie Alexandra Belvin of Durham, NC; Lindsi Baylor Belvin of Roswell GA; and Sara Elisabeth Belvin of Roswell, GA. A private interment will be held at Trenholm Road United Methodist Church. A Memorial and Celebration of Life will be held at the church on July 1 at 3:00 p.m. with a reception following. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Trenholm Road United Methodist Church, 3401 Trenholm Road, Columbia, SC 29204 or The Parkinson's Foundation, 1359 Broadway, Suite 1509, New York, NY 10018. Family members wish to express their thanks and gratitude both to the staff of Prisma Health Hospice and to the wonderful Still Hopes nurses and aides who cared for Gayle with love and compassion for the past eleven months. You will not be forgotten.