Early years

Betty often told stories about growing up on her dad's successful dairy. The family worked hard but never did without during the Great Depression. She tells of helping her dad with dairy chores, and then riding the wagon with her father, going to deliver milk to families. Payment received was whatever the recipient family could give. She learned early about the Golden Rule, helping those in need. Her family often fed itinerant laborers during that time.

She had a pony named Trixie. She would make a necklace for her Trixie out of acorns and dandelions. She loved to visit her aunt and uncle, and by the age of 12, was permitted to ride her pony the seven miles to their house.

Education and Career

Betty graduated high school at 16, and went on to study nursing at Crawford Long Hospital School of Nursing in Atlanta and at the University of Cincinnati. She achieved her R.N. before the age of 21. After graduation, she was placed in charge of pediatric nursing instruction and of the pediatric and neonatal ward at Crawford Long. She served in the Cadet Nurse Corps during WWII.

In 1947, with the birth of her first child, Betty took a long hiatus from nursing., although she kept her credentials up to date. After Doyle retired in the early 70's, Betty took a refresher course in nursing, and returned to work as an R.N. in hospital duty, organizing the staff as a surgical floor charge nurse at a major El Paso hospital. Years later she transitioned to work as an industrial nurse for El Paso Natural Gas. She forged a strong network of friends in the nursing community and spent many hours nurturing others even after retirement.

A Lifetime of Love, Family and Service

She married Doyle Merritt in 1946 shortly after he completed his bachelor’s degree at West Point. They had been early childhood friends and later sweethearts.

Betty’s bright spirit, determination and strong belief in service to others combined with her roles as an RN and army officer’s wife, and launched her on a world tour of making friends and spreading love and inspiration. She maintained an active correspondence, keeping up with her friends as they also moved around the globe. Betty invested herself in community and church activities, wherever she lived.

After marriage and with the expectation of her first child, Betty concentrated on raising her family and on community service.

She exchanged her pediatric nurse’s career for raising six of her own children. Her husband's Army career saw duty stations in Ft. Sill, Oklahoma; Korea in 1948 and 1950; Ft. Benning, Georgia; and time in Los Angeles while he completed a master’s degree in mechanical engineering at USC.

In 1955, the family moved to El Paso, Texas, while Doyle had a command at White Sands Missile Range, New Mexico. Betty continued to raise the children while he alternated time at headquarters at Ft Bliss and at White Sands.

In 1961, after the birth of their sixth child, they were transferred to Heidelberg, Germany, for a three-year assignment. No base housing was available, so the family lived in nearby Dielheim, as the the only American family in the very small German village. Learning German as quickly as possible, Betty and family forged many rich and lifelong friendships.

Betty was very active in St Paul’s Methodist Church in El Paso for almost six decades. She was part of the United Methodist Women, served as a Sunday School director, and participated in many mission activities.

She moved to San Antonio in 2016 and made many more dear friends.