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 Elizabeth "Betty' Millsaps van Iersel, 71, passed from this life on December 9, 2019, from complications of kidney disease and cancer.
Betty was born May 15, 1948 in Pasadena to Paul and Katherine Millsaps. She was preceded in death by her husband, Anton van Iersel in 2011, and her father and mother. Survivors include her cousins and many friends.
Betty earned a BA from the University of Wyoming and an MA from University of Redlands in management and human resource management. Betty worked as a communications specialist at Georgetown University, George Washington University, University of Richmond and Salem State University in Salem, Massachusetts, and Arizona State University.
Betty was devoted to the many friends she made across the country and her church family at St John's Episcopal Church in Lafayette Square, Washington, DC. As part of her strong interest in World War I and early 20th century history Betty also worked as a docent for the Woodrow Wilson House in Washington, DC. She was active in AAUW and Kappa Delta activities. Betty recently moved to Chattanooga to teach at UTC and be closer to her family. Her rapid decline in health came as a shock to her, her family, and many friends.
The Chattanoogan.com, December 12, 2019
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Steven S Kane (1966)
Betty was a very smart, studious person whose personality was open and friendly. She and I had many great conversations, mostly about books that both of us had read. She seems to have led a very interesting and productive life in the academic world. We corresponded once several years ago through the alumni website, but I greatly regret not having kept in closer touch with Betty.
Rest in peace, Betty! Our memories of you live on.
Winnie Moran (Jasper) (1966)
I am very sad today to learn of Betty's passing. Earlier this week I had arranged to send her an e-card for her birthday on May 15. We had corresponded often during the past few years sharing book titles to read and health concerns. The last time we corresponded she told me she was on a wait list for a kidney transplant. Part of my birthday message this year included the fact that I had recently been diagnosed with Chronic Kidney Disease, so I was joining her club.
My favorite memories of my friendship with Betty include two of our favorite teachers. In Junior high we were together in Mrs. Paden's Art Class. Betty was editor of the Yearbook and I was on the staff. Mrs. Paden took the staff to lunch and a fashion show at Bullocks Pasadena to celebrate completing the task, a real treat for both of us. It was also during this period of time when Betty's mother died, and Barbara Polich lost her father. The other special memory was in high school when Miss McDonald, our teacher for Junior English, gave some special attention to several of us girls when we were seniors, giving us some opportunities she felt we might be missing as we were from single parent families. I do not know the special treat for Betty, but mine was a trip to Grauman's Chinese Theatre in Hollywood to see Dr. Zhivago with dinner after. Totally memorable!