Page 37 - Senior Link Magazine Summer 2017- Online Magazine

in Amherst illuminated a serious problem. The doctor was brutally murdered in an unthinkably vicious
diagnosed Norman with adult onset leukemia. He attack of workplace violence. Bettie tears up when she
had been wounded in World War II in the Battle of remembers how traumatic that season was, and the
Cologne. He had bled so profusely that the Air Force reliving of it all at the trial in 2016. The killer received
was forced to leave him in Belgium. He begged the a 2nd degree murder conviction, but it provided little
doctors to save his leg. They were able to do so, solace for the devastated family. She believes “the
but he lost 6” of bone and endured 25 or 30 blood Lord never gives us things without a purpose.”
transfusions before he was able to finally come home. And she can honestly say that she is not afraid to
He never spoke of that trauma, but it may have led to die. “I have a son and a daughter here, and a daughter
the life-threatening blood disease he was now facing. and a husband in Heaven. I can be happy either
The couple spent the next 1-1/2 years traveling and place.”
enjoying each other as much as possible. When his Occasionally, the “motivator” will run into one
health deteriorated, they spent his last six months in of her former students. She wells up with pride,
Dallas at the VA hospital where he died on August especially when they say something like, “Miss Bettie!
8, 1979. The young widow returned to Earth and Remember me? I went to college!”
worked for a little while in a flower shop while she
grieved and thought about what she would do next.
In 1981 she bought a house in Lubbock, because
she wanted to help take care of her young grandson
Austin. When he started school, LISD hired her to
teach at the Adult Learning Center at Matthews. It
was a government program designed to teach young
single mothers. The “motivator” is noticeably proud AC and HEATING
of the fact that she was able to convince many of those
girls to go to college. She stayed there for 6 1/2 years. Simply Serviced. Simply Priced.
Adventure always appealed to Bettie, so she left her
comfortable home in Lubbock and moved to Tyler in
1996. She was able to use her gift almost immediately 806.549.7705 Give us a call...
Give us a call...
when she went to work at Azle Way Charter School We will treat
We will treat
teaching English and Speech. It was a unique place for you RIGHT!
you RIGHT!
boys who had been removed from their homes. The
“motivator” stepped into the role of inspiring passion
for learning, influencing behavior and helping young
men to enjoy school, many of them for the first time.
After 8 years there, Bettie returned to Lubbock to
settle down. She is happily engaged in her church
and at Lubbock Impact, where she is responsible
for distributing SPFB food vouchers. It has been
very rewarding for her to serve there. She also plays Jeff & Krista
Spinner weekly with her friends Pat, Linda, Melva, Jenkins,
Emma Jean and Irene. OWNERS
Life is pleasant for the vivacious octogenarian,
but it hasn't been easy. She has been a widow for 37 License No.
years. And in October 2014 her daughter Darlene TACLB50569E

Lubbock Senior Link 37