Longtime Blue Springs High School teacher Betsy Jean Hall died of heart disease on April 13 at her home in Blue Springs. She was 84. Hall was born January 21, 1938 at Edinburg, Texas to Hellen (cq) and Gene Hall, after her parents moved to south Texas in a Model T.
She graduated from Pan American College (now University of Texas-Pan American) in Edinburg, where her father was the city manager, before joining the staff of Missouri Congressman Ike Skelton. She was proud to have represented her district many times.
She had a lifelong interest in government and history, her maternal great-grandfather Henry Kirchner emigrated from Germany in 1853 and enlisted in the Union Army. He was wounded but saw Gen. Lee surrender to Gen. Grant at Appomattox Courthouse to end the Civil War.
Betsy attended the original one room school house Old Blue Springs in her youth, and happily played a part in the relocation and restoration of the school.
She taught government at Blue Springs High School from 1961 to 1991, when she retired from full time teaching. She subsequently returned part time to teach a self-developed Future Teacher Cadet program with the high school, and then retired from part time teaching in 2014. She was a tough but devoted teacher to her students, many who maintained ties with her long after leaving school and visited her often.
Betsy obtained a Masters in Criminal Justice later in life, and worked for the local police department, worked as a paralegal, and was a lifelong staunch Democrat actively involved in local, county, state and federal election campaigns. She was actively involved with the VFW and Auxilliary.
Betsy had many passions in life, which included her Texas heritage but not its politics, the University of Texas Longhorns, the KC Chiefs, and a love of Nascar and fan of Tony Stewart later in life. She collected miniature furniture and collectibles, teddy bears, dolls, and lighthouses. She obtained a black belt in karate as well.
Her strongest love was for her many dogs, mostly beagles. She was never without a pup or two.
Hall was preceded in death by her parents, aunt Betsy Kough Holt and uncle Ben Kough Sr., and cousin Bette Jean Kough Noble.
She is survived by cousins Belinda Kough Mank, Ben Kough Jr., Barry Kough, and her last dog, Kirby. She is fondly remembered by many, many friends and colleagues throughout Jackson County.
There will be a celebration of her life on Thursday, May 5 from 6:00 to 8:00 pm, at VFW Post 6603, 1104 West Main Street, Blue Springs.