Betty Ector, of Fruitvale, British Columbia, Canada, died after a long illness from Alzheimer’s Disease. Her passing away occurred at Columbia View Lodge, Trail, BC, on April 20th, 2015 when her husband, Hugh, and oldest son, Don, were present.
Betty was born in 1931 at Crystal Springs, Mississippi. She lived months past her 83rd year, and had celebrated her 61st wedding anniversary last December. She is the daughter of Roma and P. D. Houston of Sylvarena, Mississippi. Her surviving children are Don Ector, from Rossland, BC, Miriam Sanchez, of Whitewater, Colorado, David Ector, from Boulder, Colorado, Suzanne Ector from Gold Beach, Oregon and Rossland, BC. Betty and Hugh have four grandchildren: Daniel Ector, Dara Ector, Eric Sanchez and Laia Ector. Betty’s brother, P.D. Houston Jr., and sister, Martha Morgan had predeceased her.
Betty was a teacher who taught at many levels: first as a primary teacher in Alaska and Argenta, BC; then as a high school teacher at Kaslo, BC, and Louisville, Mississippi. She somehow had time to earn a Master of Science degree while teaching at Wood College in Mathiston, Miss., also while conducting both a camping and horsemanship program. She then transferred her teaching duties to Mississippi State University and earned the status as Associate Professor.
She had received many honours: ‘Best Girl Athlete’, ‘Head Majorette’ and ‘First Chair Flutist’ at Central High in Jackson, Miss. At Auburn University, she was selected as “Who’s Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges.” Years later she earned a PhD degree in Physiology at Mississippi State University.
She met Hugh at Auburn where they were married in December, 1953. After marriage they lived and taught at the places previously mentioned before retiring to Canada, near where Don and Mary (Don’s wife-partner) and Suzanne live. Present plans are to further honour Betty at the Argenta Community Hall this summer, July 30. All are welcome, of course.