Betty Huff has dedicated more than 40 years to assisting others.

As the executive assistant at the Orangeburg County Chamber of Commerce, Huff has followed the directions of the president and other Chamber officials with a meticulousness that has earned her designation as the exemplification of dependability for the month of April as part of Orangeburg County's Community of Character Initiative.

"I thought it was wonderful being selected because I never dreamed that I would be chosen to represent one of the Community of Character traits," said the 73-year-old, who's held other titles at the Chamber since she began work there in 1954.

"I started in May of 1954 as a part-time secretary. After a few months, that job worked into a full-time position. From then on, except for the one year that I was out on maternity leave, I've been with the Chamber as an administrative assistant. That title was later changed to executive assistant," Huff said.

While she currently works part time at the Chamber, Huff takes her duties seriously, making sure the Chamber's activities and programs run as smoothly and efficiently as possible. She said dependability is a trait she shares with the other staff members.

"We operate as a team here, and if one person falls down on their job, it's a reflection on the team. Dependability is very important because we have so many activities and projects going on, and we're on tight schedules. We have to be able to follow through with directions and make sure that everything happens when it's supposed to," Huff said.

"Since I've been here, I've worked under at least 10 different executives, not to mention the different presidents and chairmen of the board which would probably total 40 or more. They've all been very special," she said, smiling.

Born in the Sawyerdale community of Orangeburg County, Huff moved to the city of Orangeburg in 1938 when she was eight years old. She said she's always been a people-person, a trait which makes her job at the Chamber particularly enjoyable.

"I like the association with people. You get to meet so many different people from different walks of life and businesses. There are those who just come by the office seeking information, whether tourists or local people. I work in a people-oriented type office. That appeals to me because I love people," Huff said.

She said her association with people and keeping abreast of what is going on in the community will keep her at the Chamber as long as she's able to stay.

"I've been blessed with good health. Even though I'm past the normal retirement age of 65 ... I would like to be able to stay as long as I'm needed and my health will allow. Every day that I can get up and move, see, hear and talk, I think, 'What a blessing,'" she said.

"Early on in my life, it was stressed to me that anything worth doing is worth doing well. Whatever I do, I try to do it to the best of my ability. That has been my philosophy ... and I like to treat people the way I would like to be treated," Huff said.

The mother of two and grandmother of two is a member of St. Paul's United Methodist Church, where she serves on several committees, including the church council and trustee board. She's also vice chairperson of the Joy Club and is an active participant in the E.S. Jones Sunday School class. Huff is also a member of the American Legion Auxiliary, Unit 4.

T&D Staff Writer Dionne Gleaton can be reached by e-mail at dgleaton@timesanddemocrat.com or by phone at 803-533-5534.

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