In Profile: Aunt Betty

Aunt Betty, born Gladys Betty, is the youngest girl of John Archie and Sadie Mae. A teacher like the rest of her sisters and brothers, Aunt Betty attended Alabama State(she and Uncle Lawrence finally caught up with each other in school and attended the rest of grade school together. Aunt Betty is an interesting character--the biggest gossip the world has ever known, and currently lives by herself in her house that she keeps immaculately clean at all times--in the middle of the woods. She definitely could use a change. She attended Alabama State University. She and Aunt Johnnie attended college together and recieved both of their Master's Degrees at the same time, in the same programs. Aunt Betty taught school for thirty years, retiring due to cancer. She taught first in Alabama and then in Chicago, retiring from there. I remember going to school with her a few times. She taught music and there was a big doberman pinscher outside of the school where she workedand I always would never want to get out fo the car. After retiring, Aunt Betty moved back to Alabama and has been there ever since.

For all of the fluff that she is, Aunt Betty is definitely a sharp cookie-- and learrned some things quite well. One of the funniest things I remember is her talking about pledging at college. She said the only sorority she ever considered was Self-I-Self. I totally agree. Aunt Betty told me something else which is quite hilarious and very much a great statement for her. She said one time her husband(whom she divorced when their son was very young) got drunk and decided he wanted to hit her. She said that did not fly at all. She said when he hit her, she grabbed him in between his legs and made him say his prayers. She is definitely a Goodson.

My Aunt not only taught school for many years, but she also played the piano(fairly well) and spoke and taught sign language. That was one of the things she taught me.

When she was teaching in Chicago, she stayed with Aunt Bertie, Freda, and Aunt Johnnie. She was there when I was a little boy. She retired in the early 80s and has been in Alabama ever since.