Aileen Allan Beatty

AIKEN - Aileen Margaret Allan Beatty took her final journey to the Kingdom of Heaven on September 29, 2011, with dignity, grace, and strength of spirit, surrounded by her loving family. Visitation will be held Friday at Shellhouse Funeral Home, 924 Hayne Avenue, Aiken, SC, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. A funeral service will be held Saturday at 3:00 p.m. in the Shellhouse Funeral Home Chapel. Aileen was born September 13, 1925 in Strathblane, Stirlingshire, Scotland, the daughter of the late James Armour “Scotty” Allan and Mary Ann Allardyce Allan. She was a resident of Aiken for the past 62 years, having emigrated with her parents and brother, James, on board the “SS America”. A survivor of World War II and the horrific bombing of Britain by Nazi Germany, Aileen could recount hundreds of nights spent scurrying to bomb shelters, listening to the explosions from underground wondering if they would have a home when daylight arrived, making it through their normal daytime activities, only to rush to the bomb shelter again the next night. She never forgot her Scottish roots, and never lost her delightful Scottish accent. Within one week of her arrival in South Carolina, Aileen secured full-time employment in her field of bookkeeping. She was the first office worker hired by Owens Corning Fiberglas in Aiken, where she remained until the birth of her son. She worked as a bookkeeper and assisted her father in the operation of Scottish Interiors and, after his death, continued the business with her husband for several years. She retired from Kirby Cycles as a bookkeeper in the early 1980’s. Aileen was a member of South Aiken Presbyterian Church from 1957 until 1998, and was a devoted and active member of Shaws Fork Baptist Church from 1998 until her health prevented her from attending services and participating in activities. Aileen is survived by her husband of 51 years, James R. “Boots” Beatty, a son, David J. (Carla) Beatty of Aiken, a daughter, Heather Weiser (Kenneth) Bailey of Ballentine, SC, a step-daughter, Patricia (Jim) Hamilton of Columbia, SC, grandchildren, John Hamilton, Daniel Hamilton, and Kelly Hamilton of Columbia, Holly Hamilton Benefield of Mt. Pleasant, SC, and Scott Rodgers of Seattle, WA, seven great grandchildren, and nine great-great grandchildren, special first cousins whom she loved as sisters, Ella Arthur Burroughs of Parkersburg, WV, and Heather Short Capaldi of Miami, FL, brother-in-law Jack W. (Millie) Beatty of Orlando Florida, as well as numerous cousins (on both sides of “The Pond”), nieces and nephews, all of whom were very special to her. In addition to her parents, Mrs. Beatty was predeceased by her brothers, James Alexander Allan of Harrison Township, MI, and Andrew Slesser of Aberdeen, Scotland, sister, Dorothy Milne, of Aberdeen, Scotland, infant brother, Jackie, infant twin sisters, May and Annabelle, and grandson, Jimmy Hamilton. The family would like to extend their heartfelt thanks to Aileen’s special care-givers Chessie, Tocia, Rosemary, Dianna, Sherry, and to Bill, Ruth, and Brenda, of Trinity Hospice for all their love, care, and concern, and to her many friends who visited, called, and sent so many delightful cards over the past few months. Mrs. Beatty's online guest book may be signed at www.shellhousefuneralhome.com In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Aiken Animal Shelter, 401 Wire Rd., Aiken, SC 29801, or the Alzheimers Association, 3223 Sunset Blvd, Suite 100, West Columbia, SC 29169. SHELLHOUSE FUNERAL HOME, INC., 924 HAYNE AVE., AIKEN, SC To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Aileen Allan Beatty, please visit our flower store.