Edwin Morris Betts Jr.

Edwin Morris Betts, Jr., 89, of Petersburg, VA, died Thursday, November 22, 2018. Born July 28, 1929 in Charlottesville, VA, he was the son of the late Edwin Morris Betts and Mary Hall Stryker Betts. He was also preceded in death by his wife, Mary Baxter Betts. He is survived by his children, Mary “Bee” Betts and E. Morris Betts, III (Stacey), both of Petersburg, VA; grandson, Zachary Wilson Reeves; sister, Betsy B. Lang (Hunter) of Charlottesville; sister-in-law, Jean Baxter Spivey of Petersburg; and lifelong friend, Ellen Moyer. Mr. Betts obtained his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees at the University of Virginia. His career in education included serving as teacher, assistant principal, principal at Petersburg High School from 1953 until 1972, and administrative positions with the Petersburg School Board from 1972 until 1989. He served as Acting Superintendent four times between 1990-2003. He served as President of the Virginia Education Association in 1966 and as a Virginia representative on the Board of Directors of the National Education Association from 1967 until 1973. He was a member of the Rotary Club of Petersburg since 1966 and served as president 1980-81. He also served as District Governor for Rotary International’s District 7600 in 1991-92. Mr. Betts was a former member and chairman of the Planning Commission of Petersburg, former member and president of the Southside Community Concert Association, former member and chairman of the Petersburg Symphony Orchestra, and former administrator for Southside Virginia Emergency Crew, Inc. He was a member, former Vestryman and Senior Warden, and Lay Reader at Christ & Grace Episcopal Church. The family will receive friends from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Thursday, November 29, 2018 at the Petersburg Chapel of J.T. Morriss & Son Funeral Home. A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Friday at Christ & Grace Episcopal Church. In lieu of flowers, please contribute to The Rotary Foundation, 14280 Collections Center Drive, Chicago, IL 60693, Southside Virginia Emergency Crew, P.O. Box 574, Petersburg, VA 23804, or Christ & Grace Episcopal Church, 1545 S. Sycamore Street, Petersburg, VA 23805. Condolences may be registered at www.jtmorriss.com .