She was born in 1948, the daughter of Ruth Wilson and Joe Moss, in Nashville, TN where she attended
Harpeth Hall and Hillsboro high schools. She obtained her bachelor's and master's degrees in Literature at Memphis State University, conducted graduate studies at Vanderbilt University, and taught at Fisk University for five years.
Betty moved to Florida in 1991 where she taught at the University of South Florida until her retirement in 2020. She obtained her PhD in Literature during her tenure at USF. Her seasoned literary qualifications bestowed her as the Director of the Florida Suncoast Writers' Conference.
Betty was predeceased by her husband, Frank Russell, in 2008. She died from COPD and complications arising from Long Covid.
Remembrance Donations may be sent to Feeding America; UNICEF; World Wide Fund for Nature or any Long Covid research organization.
