Page 36 - Senior Link Magazine Summer 2017- Online Magazine
P. 36
“The Motivator” - Bettie Sulser
by Jane Bromley
On a recent flight, After high school she went to McMurry in Abilene
I had the privilege and majored in Education. Two years into college,
of being seated she spent the summer as an intern in Earth with the
next to a delightful Methodist summer youth program. There she met
passenger. I had met a young farmer named Norman Sulser, because he
her a couple of times served as the junior high sponsor. The two were
previously, because instantly attracted to each other. She was 20, he was
her daughter L’Anna 30. After a 3-month engagement they were married
is my good friend, at the Oklahoma Lane Church near Earth. Within
and her granddaughter Linley is my daughter’s five years they had three children: Carl, Darlene and
lifelong friend. L’Anna.
I knew she must be in her 80’s, but Bettie Sulser Bettie stayed home to raise the children, but when
seemed far from “elderly”. Her eyes sparkled with they were 13, 11 and 9, she commuted with some
enthusiasm, her countenance was inviting, and her other young women to Texas Tech to finish her
conversation was engaging. We talked the entire hour, degree. On May 11, 1970 the last final was scheduled
and I knew I’d want to get to know her better. at 5:00 pm before she could earn her BA in English
Bettie Foster was born in Clovis, New Mexico the and Speech. The clouds were building, and as the girls
middle child of the five who were born to Tom and finished their exams, they decided they should try
Lucille Foster. This self-described country girl grew and race home ahead of the big storm. They missed
up on a farm outside Farwell, TX. Her mother was a the tornado that hit Lubbock hard--26 people died,
teacher and her daddy raised mostly maize and corn, 2,500 were left homeless and Tech graduation was
and also owned a small dairy. Bettie and her sister canceled. Her diploma came in the mail.
Bonnie oversaw the care and milking of 30-35 cows Mrs. Sulser began her teaching career in 1971 in a Jr.
from the time she was 7 until she was a junior in high High Reading class at Springlake/Earth. The students
school. had been labeled “unmotivated”, but that didn’t
She had a happy childhood, and remembers discourage Bettie. “I’m a motivator” she said, and I
especially how much fun it was going to Ruidoso and knew she was being truthful.
renting a cabin for vacation. She excelled in school, In 1977, Norman wasn’t feeling as strong as he
always making excellent grades, serving as drum had been. They decided it was time to retire from
major and playing basketball. The Farwell coach farming, and maybe go into the building business
called Bettie the best girl he’d ever coached. with his brother in Dallas. But a visit to Dr. Chatwell
36 Lubbock Senior Link
