Elizabeth "Betsy" Harwood Brooks

Elizabeth (Betsy) Harwood Brooks passed away October 29, 2025 at Baptist Memorial Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee. Betsy was born March 12, 1947 in Benton, Arkansas to and preceded in death by her parents Samuel and Josephine Cook Brooks. Also preceding her in death was her brother John Brooks of Los Angeles, California and sister Meredith Brooks of Fayetteville, Arkansas. She leaves close family ties to those who called her MiMi, Renee Hatcher along with granddaughters Macie and Madison Hatcher.

Betsy graduated El Dorado High School and continued her educational journey at the University of Arkansas and later felt called to a career in Nursing. She graduated in 1975 from Baptist Memorial Hospital School of Nursing with a Diploma and later completed her Bachelors of Science from Memphis State University. Her nursing career began as a staff nurse in both Medical/Surgical and Respiratory Intensive Care. Betsy’s nursing excellence quickly led her to higher roles of leadership where she served as Nurse Manager. The next phase of her leadership journey led to Nurse Manager of Myelosuppression and Surgical Oncology. She retired in 2013 leaving behind a legacy quite like no other.

Betsy touched the lives of hundreds of healthcare staff and their families in all disciplines and cared for thousands of patients over her 38 years. Her excellent and sincere nursing standard of practice & care was always on display and felt. If you were blessed to know her, it is because it was of God’s plan to put her selfless love in your life to care, comfort, mentor, counsel, pick you up, dust you off and move you forward. For her personal friends she was the “dear and perfect friend” that never left your side. She will be infinitely missed but affectionately remembered for the love and care she gave to each individual.

Memorials can be forwarded to:

Baptist Memorial Health Care Foundation designated for the Nursing Alumni Scholarship Endowment 350 North Humphreys Boulevard

Memphis, Tennessee 38120 (901-227-7123)

or

Memphis Humane Society

935 Farm Road

Memphis, TN 38134 (901) 937-3900

A celebration of Betsy’s life will be planned at a later date.