2022 Black Heritage Calendar - Presented by the Black Educators' Caucus Inc., of Hernando County

Betty Morgan
12/06/1935 – 12/10/2017
Betty Jo Washington Morgan was a native of Brooksville and salutatorian for
Moton High School Class of 1953. Social change was in the air with the Great
Depression ending and the modern civil rights movement was emerging. She
started her college education at Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University.
Marriage and family delayed completion of her education until the last of her
five children were born. She persevered, earned her bachelor’s from Saint Leo
College (now university). From a young age, Betty aspired to become a
teacher, one of a limited number of professional occupations accessible to
African Americans in the south, particularly in rural communities such as
Brooksville. Being a wife and mother would prove essential to her success as
a teacher, more so than any class she took in college. Matter of fact, as a
mother, Betty was a teacher, mentor, counselor, role model and comforter
who demonstrated the grit and work ethics that were taught to her by her
mother, teachers and aunts.
Mrs. Morgan taught for Head Start for 8 years, and she taught kindergarten for
24 years in the Hernando County public school system. As evidence of her
teaching effectiveness, she was selected as Moton’s Teacher of the Year in 1998.
Betty Jo Morgan was a loyal and faithful member of First Baptist Church of Shady Rest in Brooksville, FL, where she
played the piano for over 60 plus years. She also served as a pianist for Bethlehem Baptist Church, Allen Temple
African Episcopal Methodist Church, Hernando County Male Chorus and various choirs throughout the community as
well as Vacation Bible School. Betty was a community-minded woman who shared her talents for far less than their
monetary worth, oftentimes without compensation. She is one of the last pianists who could read music. She was a
member of the Ministerial-Layman Alliance of Hernando County, Meals on Wheel, Black Educators’ Caucus’ Inc., of
Hernando County, Moton High School Reunion 50th Anniversary Celebration 1939-1989 Steering, Awards and Plaque
Committees. Under her leadership in the 70s, First Baptist Church boasted having one of the finest junior choirs in the
county.
Betty enjoyed serving her community, but only the Good Lord came before her immediate family. She taught her
children and grands how to play Chopsticks and enjoyed decorating her home in seasonal themes such as Christmas,
Easter, Valentine Day and Thanksgiving. She was the consummate team player; loyal, and dependable.
She was one of Harry Sr. and Lavern Washington's 9 children. She was married to Harold Morgan Jr (deceased)
and from this union were 5 children: Valerye Morgan, Harold Morgan, Jr,, Gregory Morgan, Marilyn Knight, and Lynn
Morgan. Her favorite quote was “If I can help somebody as I travel along they way, then my living has not been in vain.”
Sponsors: Lynn Morgan and Family
“Freedom, by definition, is people realizing that they are
their own leaders.” ― Diane Nash