Betty Morgan 12/06/1935 – 12/10/2017 Betty Jo Washington Morgan was a native <strong>of</strong> Brooksville and salutatorian for Moton High School Class <strong>of</strong> 1953. Social change was in <strong>the</strong> air with <strong>the</strong> Great Depression ending and <strong>the</strong> modern civil rights movement was emerging. She started her college education at Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University. Marriage and family delayed completion <strong>of</strong> her education until <strong>the</strong> last <strong>of</strong> 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 <strong>of</strong> a limited number <strong>of</strong> pr<strong>of</strong>essional occupations accessible to African Americans in <strong>the</strong> south, particularly in rural communities such as Brooksville. Being a wife and mo<strong>the</strong>r would prove essential to her success as a teacher, more so than any class she took in college. Matter <strong>of</strong> fact, as a mo<strong>the</strong>r, Betty was a teacher, mentor, counselor, role model and comforter who demonstrated <strong>the</strong> grit and work ethics that were taught to her <strong>by</strong> her mo<strong>the</strong>r, teachers and aunts. Mrs. Morgan taught for Head Start for 8 years, and she taught kindergarten for 24 years in <strong>the</strong> <strong>Hernando</strong> <strong>County</strong> public school system. As evidence <strong>of</strong> her teaching effectiveness, she was selected as Moton’s Teacher <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Year in 1998. Betty Jo Morgan was a loyal and faithful member <strong>of</strong> First Baptist Church <strong>of</strong> Shady Rest in Brooksville, FL, where she played <strong>the</strong> piano for over 60 plus years. She also served as a pianist for Bethlehem Baptist Church, Allen Temple African Episcopal Methodist Church, <strong>Hernando</strong> <strong>County</strong> Male Chorus and various choirs throughout <strong>the</strong> community as well as Vacation Bible School. Betty was a community-minded woman who shared her talents for far less than <strong>the</strong>ir monetary worth, <strong>of</strong>tentimes without compensation. She is one <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> last pianists who could read music. She was a member <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Ministerial-Layman Alliance <strong>of</strong> <strong>Hernando</strong> <strong>County</strong>, Meals on Wheel, <strong>Black</strong> Educators’ <strong>Caucus</strong>’ <strong>Inc</strong>., <strong>of</strong> <strong>Hernando</strong> <strong>County</strong>, Moton High School Reunion 50th Anniversary Celebration 1939-1989 Steering, Awards and Plaque Committees. Under her leadership in <strong>the</strong> 70s, First Baptist Church boasted having one <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> finest junior choirs in <strong>the</strong> county. Betty enjoyed serving her community, but only <strong>the</strong> Good Lord came before her immediate family. She taught her children and grands how to play Chopsticks and enjoyed decorating her home in seasonal <strong>the</strong>mes such as Christmas, Easter, Valentine Day and Thanksgiving. She was <strong>the</strong> consummate team player; loyal, and dependable. She was one <strong>of</strong> 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 <strong>the</strong>y way, <strong>the</strong>n my living has not been in vain.” Sponsors: Lynn Morgan and Family “Freedom, <strong>by</strong> definition, is people realizing that <strong>the</strong>y are <strong>the</strong>ir own leaders.” ― Diane Nash
JULY <strong>2022</strong> Independence Day 1918, Nelson Mandela is born National Parents Day