Betty Caldwell Rogers Morris went to be with the Lord on February 20, 2020, in Mobile Al, following a brief illness. She was born on June 1, 1935 in Warrior, Alabama, a suburb of Birmingham. She attended the University of Alabama, studying voice, and was the vocalist for the jazz band. A graduate of the University of South Alabama with a BM in vocal performance, she also obtained the Master of Music degree in vocal performance from the University of Southern Mississippi.
For many years, she was an adjunct instructor of voice at The University of South Alabama where she was the founder of the University Opera Theatre, directing many operas, and the founder of the Miss USA pageant. She taught thousands of students in her lifetime at her home studio and at USA and many of her students went on to professional careers around the world. Betty was active in the Mobile Opera Guild and the Mobile Opera Workshop where she sang many leading roles. She was a choir director, choir member, and soloist at many area churches during her life, including St. Paul’s Episcopal, Spring Hill Avenue Temple, First Church of Christ Scientist, St. Luke’s Episcopal, and several churches across the bay in Fairhope, AL.
She was awarded the Outstanding Young Woman of Mobile award for her many volunteer endeavors. Her greatest accomplishment—and the one she was most proud of—was teaching voice and piano all of her life.
She was a member of St. Luke’s Episcopal Church.
She is preceded in death by her parents Mr. and Mrs. Robert Caldwell of Warrior, AL, and her former husbands Charles Edward Rogers and Carl Alette. She leaves behind her husband, Lloyd Morris, a daughter, Amelia Rogers Pelton (Mark) of Milledgeville, GA, her son Charles Christian Rogers (Carlene Thibodeaux) of New Orleans, and step sons Patrick Morris and Mark Morris (Ellen). Also surviving are five grandchildren: Hampton, Caldwell, and Olivia Pelton, Chase and Bridget Rogers, step children Madison and Haley Morris, and numerous other family members and devoted friends.
The funeral service for Betty will be at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church in Mobile on Saturday, February 29, at 2 pm. Visitation will begin at 12 noon at the church before the service. In lieu of flowers please send donations to St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, 1050 Azalea Rd., Mobile, AL 36693.
