MORTIMORE, Betty Ruth (WATTS)
WATTS, MORTIMORE, PEACH
Posted By: Sharon R Becker (email)
Date: 1/23/2016 at 15:13:48
BIOGRAPHY of BETTY RUTH (WATTS) MORTIMORE
Graceland University, Lamoni, Decatur County, IowaBetty Ruth (Watts) Mortimore was born on December 14, 1925, in Belleville, Illinois, the daughter of John Easton and Ruth Margaret (Peach) Watts.
Betty was the longest-serving woman in the college's science faculty.
Betty graduated magna cum laude from Graceland in 1945 and continued her studies at the campus several years later to complete her B.A. in physical science and math in 1962. She obtained her M.A. degree in biology at Drake University in 1965, the same year she joined Graceland's faculty to teach biology.
In 1946, Betty was married to Graceland mathematics and physics professor Roy Henry Mortimore. Betty and Roy were never faculty members at the same time because Roy had retired two years before Betty began teaching.
Betty obtained her Ph.D. in physiology in 1970 at the University of Illinois, becoming Graceland's first woman in the Division of Science and Math to hold a doctorate. Betty also achieved statues during the 1977-78 school year as the first female coordinator of Graceland's biology department.
Betty was known as a quiet instructor who enjoyed the challenge of research.
Betty retired in 1988 as professor emerita.
Betty moved to Wisconsin where she died at the age of 85 years on June 17, 2010, at Stoughton, Wisconsin.
SOURCE: Goehner, David. “The Graceland College Book of Knowledge: From A To Z.” p. 430. Herald House. Independence MO. 1997.
Transcription by Sharon R. Becker, January of 2016
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