September 21, 2022, Betty M. Redwood was born into eternity surrounded by her husband, children and grandchildren in Lee’s Summit, Missouri.
Betty was born to McKinley and Nora Anaise Guillory Artis in Oberlin, Louisiana, May 31, 1947, the second of five blessed children. She was gifted 75 years.
Both parents, her brother Raymond, sister Mary Leana Artis DeVille (Richard) of Oberlin, LA, preceded her in death.
Betty was no stranger to hard work. She first worked in her mother’s truck patch, as a nanny, and at the local pharmacy to finance her goals to attend college. Her love of children and learning was the pathway to her educational dreams.
Although Betty's cultural diversity was formed early in childhood due to the ten years that their family resided in Beaumont, TX., Betty received early education in the Louisiana Public School System. She was Valedictorian of Charles P. Adams High School, class of 1965. She received her Bachelor of Science degree in secondary education from Grambling University (HBCU) in 1970, her Master of Science degree from Kansas State University in 1977, and she obtained an Education Specialist School Administration/Superintendency degree from Central Missouri State University in 1992.
She tutored mathematics and sponsored the pep club.
Betty received numerous awards: PI GAMA MU, Science Honor Society 1970, Who’s Who of Professional Educators in 2012 and nominations such as of teacher of the year. Her leadership and dedication
Betty was also a proud member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.
Betty received the Holy Ghost in March 1961. Later that year, she was baptized by the late Pastor Clarence Williams and Deacon Abraham McCleon October 8, 1961, at the United Pentecostal Church (True Faith), the church her parents help to build in Oberlin, LA.
In 1970, when she was recruited for a teaching position in Denver, Colorado or Kansas City, KS, her sister said to her, “You are not that familiar with snow!” She accepted the Kansas City offer to start her teaching career. Her strong faith led her to become a member of Christ Temple Pentecostal Church, now Victorious Life Church. She was an active member and served in many roles that included President of the Young People's Department, taught Sunday school and was over the Drama Club. There she met Brother Henry L. Redwood, now Assistant Pastor of the church, and they wed in 1971. To this union, two children were born, one daughter and one son.
Betty was studious and a talented artist who loved to draw, sketch, and read. She always had her nose in a book. She was also a wedding planner, cake decorator, and made floral arrangements.
She worked for the Kansas City, Kansas School District for 32 years. Betty spent many of those years at Northwest Middle School, Central Middle School, and Wyandotte High School teaching various levels of mathematics. Her leadership and dedication acquired the several awards, North Central Accreditation Efforts from Wyandotte HS, 1994, National Congress of Parents and Teachers USD 500, Educator of the Year, 1990, and Leadership Academy Award from the Board of Education, Kansas City, KS 1990, and her years of dedicated service served her well on the several Boards including National Education Association-KCK. She emerged out of retirement and taught at Lee A. Tolbert Community Academy for an additional five years in Kansas City, MO.
She lived in Kansas City, MO for many years then later resided in Lee’s Summit, MO for over 20 years.
Bet, Boop, Redwood, Momma, Betty-Boo, Ma, and Gram Gram were all the names she was lovingly called by family and friends. Betty was a dedicated and loving wife, mother, teacher, and friend.
She leaves to cherish in memory, her husband of 51 years, Henry, daughter Rekeena Redwood of Kansas City, MO, son Ryan Redwood (Sherilyn) of Las Vegas, grandchildren: Kammrie, Khole, Kohsi, Kaisja, Zion, Israel, Raesa, Raeleen. Sisters: Ezora Harmon (Joseph) of Oberlin, LA, and Pearl Whitehead (Robert) of Peculiar, MO, Sister-in-law Esther Artis, of Oberlin, LA and a host of special nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.
A visitation for Betty will be held Friday, September 30, 2022 from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM at Victorious Life Church, 3400 Paseo, KANSAS CITY, MO 64109, followed by a funeral service beginning at 11:00 AM.
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