Betsy Jean Speight was born in Wilson, NC, the middle child of Maggie Mae Best Speight and James Thomas Speight, Sr. In 1947, the family moved to Greensboro, NC and Betsy finished hersecondary education at Dudley High School, and matriculated at her beloved Fisk University inNashville, TN where she majored in Education and minored in Music. Once she graduated in 1957, she began her teaching career in Laurinburg, NC, where she taught elementary school. She eventually moved back to her hometown of Greensboro, NC and continued teaching at Bluford Elementary School.
In 1970, Betsy Jean moved to Landover, MD, joined Union Wesley A.M.E. Zion Church and was a frequent soloist in the choir. She later moved to Lanham, MD. She was known for having a melodious soprano voice and was remembered for the selection, “Let Mount Zion Rejoice.” She also participated in local plays and productions, and had the opportunity to sing the national anthem for the Washington Bullets’ (now Washington Wizards) basketball games at the Capital Centre in Landover, MD.
While in Lanham, Betsy Jean taught for 20 years within the Prince George's County Public School System. She taught at Cheverly Tuxedo, Columbia Park and Oakcrest Elementary Schools as a fifth grade teacher, and eventually retired from Oakcrest in 1991.
In 1992, Betsy Jean moved back to Greensboro, NC to care for her mother, and became active in her home church of Trinity A.M.E. Zion Church. She was an active parishioner and contributed greatly to any task given to her. She was a co-Class Leader under the pastorship of the former Reverend Michael A. Frencher and the current pastor Dr. Daran Mitchell. She was a member of the July Calendar Club, as well as the Cathedral Choir, now known as the Sanctuary Choir. In 2007, she received her Lifetime Membership to the Connectional Lay Council of the A.M.E. Zion Church. She also achieved membership into the Trinity A.M.E. Zion Half Century Club, having been a member of the church since she joined at the age of twelve.
Betsy was a long-time member of the Order of the Eastern Star Magnolia Chapter #23, a member of the Golden Circle Greensboro Assembly #106 and a former member of the Khalif Court #90.
She was preceded in death by her parents and her older brother, James Thomas Speight, Jr.
She leaves to mourn her passing, her grand-daughter, Anna Elizabeth G. Martinez-Graham, her daughter, Ms. Bettie Ann Graham, and her son-in-law, Mr. Efrén Martinez Montero, of Washington, DC; her brother and sister-in-law, Mr. & Mrs. Bruce C. (Yvonne) Speight, Sr., of Mitchellville, MD; her nieces, nieces-in-law, and nephews, Ms. Sharon Blake, of Washington, DC and Ms. Thomara B. Speight, of Clinton, MD, Mr. & Mrs. Bruce C. (Angelique) Speight, Jr. of Charlotte, NC, Mr. & Mrs. Carlton D. (Monica) Speight, of Upper Marlboro, MD and Mr. & Mrs. James T. (Anitrá) Speight, III, of Accokeek, MD; and, her great-nieces and nephew Bailey C. Speight and Braedyn C. Speight, of Charlotte, NC; Naiya A.T. Speight-Leggett and Nile A.T. Speight-Leggett, of Clinton, MD; and, Jordan E.G. Speight, Jaeyden G. Speight, and Joelle E. Speight of Accokeek, MD. She leaves her Goddaughters Wanda Moone, of Greensboro, NC and Kimberly S. Washington, of Oxon Hill, MD. She also leaves her special friends Margaret Boyd, Diane Hair, Melinda Searcy and Deborah Shepard, all of Greensboro, NC.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in her name to ECANA, The Endometrial Cancer Action Network for African-Americans.
Funeral will be held Monday, October 10, 2022 12pm Trinity A. M. E. Zion Church. 11am Visitation. Burial will follow at Forest Lawn Cemetery.
Professional service entrusted to Perry J. Brown Funeral Home.
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