Elizabeth Rembert Lacey

Elizabeth Rembert Lacey found peace on September 29, 2022, after struggling with health issues for several years. She was born in Charleston on April 21, 1941, to Sara Dennis Lacey and Dr. William Henry Lacey. She grew up in Pinopolis, SC surrounded by her two siblings and the many members of the Dennis family. A life in the country presented her with many adventures. At the age of 12, she was tasked with driving her father to house calls after a long night of caring for his patients. Lacking experience, she drove into the back of a mule drawn wagon carrying a family. Her father tended to the injured occupants and paid a vet to care for the mule! This trait stayed with her as most of her cars had dents and scratches. She loved her horses, Bird, and Lady, and rode at Camp Pinnacle during the summers. She was educated in the Berkeley County school system and graduated from Ashley Hall as a boarder. She was crowned Little Miss Moncks Corner and voted prettiest in her senior class at Ashley Hall.  She attended University of South Carolina.

Beth married Gaillard T. Dotterer, moved to Charleston, and they raised two sons. She made sure her sons were exposed to every opportunity that Charleston Day School and East Bay playground had to offer. The human construct of time was never a priority for her. Thus, she was usually late, but always showed up. Beth enjoyed the outdoors and spending summers on Wadmalaw Island. She didn’t hesitate to take her sons and their friends on the outboard to fish, shrimp and enjoy the beach.  She was a member of the French Huguenot Society, the Daughters of the American Revolution, and the Junior League. She loved fashion and was part owner of Stoll’s Alley shop and later shared her sense of style working on King Street. Her son loves to share the story about her last job (when she was near 70) which was to greet tourists coming off the first cruise ship in Charleston. She was fired after the first day when she told her supervisor that he was not fit for the job. She loved her grandchildren and took them on many adventures around Charleston and to her mountain house in North Carolina. The adventures with “Bebe” involved Andolini’s pizza, getting lost, the aquarium, missing keys, Kickin’ Chicken, flat tires, and meeting unusual characters. She always loved talking to new people and was known as a quick-witted conversationalist. 

She is survived by her sons, Gaillard Townsend Dotterer, Jr (Retta) of Charleston and William Moultrie Dotterer (Betsy) of Richmond, VA and grandchildren Gaillard Townsend Dotterer III (Madelon) of Charleston, Frederick Willcox Dotterer of Georgetown, Sara Riley Dotterer of Dallas, TX, Henrietta Nelson Dotterer of Charleston, and Elizabeth Townsend Dotterer of Richmond, VA.  Also, her sister Brailsford Lacey and brother William Henry Lacey III (Ruthie), two nephews: John Sutton and William Lacey & two nieces: Amelia Buchholz and Eliza Magwood.  

The family would like to thank the many wonderful caregivers at Sandpiper Assisted Living and Regency Hospice.
The family will receive friends on Monday, October 10th from 5:00-7:00 pm at the home of Retta and Gilly Dotterer in Mt. Pleasant. There will be a graveside service on Tuesday, October 11th at Saint John’s Baptist Church, 1136 Sugar Hill Drive, Pinopolis, SC at 11:00 am. Arrangements by J. Henry Stuhr, Inc., Mount Pleasant Chapel.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Callen-Lacey Center for Children in Moncks Corner or the SPCA.