SUMMERTON, SC – Septimus Sep Harvin Belser, retired Family Court Judge and husband of Susan Elizabeth Betty Plowden Belser died Friday, September 1, 2006 at his residence. Judge Belser was born on March 7, 1925, son of Ritchie Hugh and May Harvin Belser. He graduated from Summerton High School and attended The Citadel. With World War II ongoing, he enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corp where he served as radio operator and gunner on B-25 with the 12thArmy Air Corp in Italy. After discharge from military service, he attended the University of South Carolina where he received degrees in Business Administration and Law. He taught school in the public schools in Summerton and entered the practice of law in Summerton. Judge Belser was appointed to the bench in 1977 among the first group of Family Court judges selected, and he served as a Family Court Judge for 15 years until retirement in 1992. Judge Belser served his community as Town Attorney, Town Councilman, and Mayor. He served on the Board of Trustees at Clarendon Hall, and he was a member of The Society of the High Hills of Santee. He was a member and past president of Summerton Rotary Club, member of The American Legion Post 35 in Summerton, and member and past president of Summerton Lions Club. He also served on the Board of Trustees for St. Paul Cemetery. Judge Belser served 5 years as Scout Master of Boy Scout Troop 382 in Summerton. During that time, he conducted summer tours for his troops to the Smokey Mountains, North Carolina; New York City; Boston, Massachusetts; Maine; Quebec and Montreal, Canada; Finger Lake District of New York; Key West, Florida; New Orleans, Louisiana; Grand Canyon; and Disneyland in California. Judge Belser’s troop always received highest compliments of conduct from persons with whom they came in contact. He was a lifelong member of St. Matthias Episcopal Church where he served on the Vestry, Secretary of Vestry, and Lay Reader. Surviving in addition to his wife are: two daughters, Elizabeth Harvin Belser Fair and her husband Hane of Columbia, and Florence Plowden Belser of Summerton; one sister, Anne Belser Burnett of Summerton; and one brother, Col. Ritchie Hugh Belser, Jr. of Santee. Judge Belser was predeceased by: sisters Caro Belser Rhame, Maysie Sue Belser, and Katharine Belser Shelor, and brother Thomas Harvey Belser. The family expresses appreciation for care and support given by caregivers Annie Ruth Robinson, Yvonne Dowe, Emily Wright and Tri County Hospice workers Cheri Hagood, Sue Smith, and Minnie Leaf. Graveside services will be conducted on Sunday, September 3, 2006 at 3:00pm at Summerton Evergreen Cemetery with the Rev. David W. T. Thurlow officiating. The family will receive friends at the family home at 20 North Dukes Street in Summerton. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials to St. Matthias Episcopal Church, P.O. Box 336, Summerton, S.C. 29148 or Hospice Care of Tri-County, 1236-B Wilson Hall Road, Sumter, S.C. 29150. Online memorial messages may be sent to the family at www.bullockfuneralhome.com The family has chosen Bullock Funeral Home to handle the arrangements. Visit our guestbook at www.charleston.net/deaths. Published in the Charleston Post & Courier on 9/2/2006.
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