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Elizabeth Ervin Obituary
Betsy Ervin, 43, of Wilmington died Friday, August 22, 2008 at home.
She was born January 29, 1965, in Grand Island, Nebraska. A 1983 graduate of the Grand Island Senior High, Betsy earned her BA in 1987 from the University of Nebraska at Kearney, her MA in 1990 from Texas Christian University, and her Ph.D. in 1994 from the University of Arizona.
Betsy was Associate Professor of Rhetoric and Composition at the University of North Carolina Wilmington from 1994 until 2007 and was one of the most valued and accomplished scholars in the English Department. She was a teacher of exceptional commitment and an expert in classical rhetoric and service learning with publications in the premier journals in her field. She was also the founding Director of the Women's Resource Center at UNCW from 2002 - 2004 and taught courses in public discourse as a Visiting Professor at the University of Wales Swansea in 2006. She is the author of Public Literacy and a host of respected articles, book chapters, reviews, and editorials. During her career at UNCW she won many awards, including the English Department Outstanding Faculty Award for Research (1997), the UNCW Leadership Center Outstanding Faculty Member Award (2001), and the John Clifford Award for Exemplary Scholarship (2006). Her family, friends, and colleagues will deeply miss her principled and passionate commitment to issues of social justice, women's equality, and environmental responsibility, as well as her generous and compassionate spirit.
Betsy is survived by her daughter, Willa Ervin-Bushman, her husband, Don Bushman, her mother and father, Dorothy and Eldon Ervin, her brothers Ed (and his wife Lisa), Andy (and his wife Jodi), and Dan, as well as several nieces and nephews and a multitude of friends.
A memorial service will be held at 5:00 pm on Friday, September 5th, at the Coble Ward-Smith Chapel, 3915 Oleander Drive, Wilmington.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Elizabeth (Betsy) Ervin Women's Resource Center Scholarship, University Advancement Office, UNC Wilmington, Wilmington, NC 28403.
Coble Ward-Smith Funeral and Cremation Service, Oleander Chapel, 791-4444
Online condolences at StarNewsOnline.com
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Elizabeth Ervin
Cheryl Moseke
June 9, 2024
Cheryl Moseke
Amy (Garver) Kuhn
September 5, 2008
To the Ervin Family, Don and Willa~
I am so saddened to hear of Betsy's passing. She was a dear friend of mine in high school. We became friends through swim team. The memories I have of her are flooding back to me as I write this. We stayed in touch for several years after high school and lost touch over time. I will always remember her humor and smile. She made me laugh and was such a good friend and teammate. I will always think of her as I hang the Christmas ornament that she gave me back in 1982. It has always had a special place on my tree every year. I am so proud to hear of all of her accomplishments. I always knew she would leave her mark in this world. My heart is broken at this time of saddness and want you all to know that you are in my thoughts and prayers. She will NEVER be forgotten.
Tami Mansur Violette
September 5, 2008
My favorite memory of Betsy is watching her sing karaoke. She did a very memorable rendition of Copa Cobanna - I will never hear that song again without remembering Betsy and smiling. She was such a strong, wonderful woman and will be missed.
Thinking of you both, Don and Willa.
Love, Tami
Donna and Liz Beach-Ashe
September 5, 2008
Don and Willa,
I wanted to express my love for your family and let you know that you are in our thoughts. I know that Betsy was such a fantastic person that all others pale in comparison. I loved hearing her laugh and watching her interact with you both. She was a wonderful friend to Diana and made a huge impact on her both personally and professionally. She had such a zest for life and inspired so many people she touched. I enjoyed playing trivia games with her, watching Project Runway and making comments on the fashions and generally being allowed to breathe the same air as she did. Liz and I feel so blessed to spend time with your family at Topsail Island. Willa, playing mermaid with you was the highlight of our day!
Many hugs and kisses.
Terri Canfield-Lawver
September 3, 2008
To the Ervins,
I am so very sorry to hear about your loss, know that my thoughts and prayers are with you...
Brent Miller
September 2, 2008
To the Ervin's,
I learned of Betsy's passing while on board the USS Abraham Lincoln making our way back home from Iraq. My mother emailed me the obituary. I am shocked and saddened. Being surrounded by thoughts of war I forget that others are fighting their own battles at home. To lose a classmate at such a young age is mind-boggling to me.
Betsy was such a bright and integral part of our high school years. I know many will truly miss her.
My condolences to her family.
Lt. Brent A. Miller
Ronda (Rowley) Talsma
August 31, 2008
Dear Loved Ones,
I was deeply saddened to learn of Betsy's death. I moved to GI the summer before 10th grade and Betsy was one of my first friends. We remained friends through our high school career and headed off to college (Ludden Hall) with Kelly, Tami Franklin, and Vicki. Betsy was always on the move. She had an agenda, knew her agenda, and accomplished it with flare. Aside from her gifted academic talents, Betsy was always kind. She was genuine toward me, not only as a new student but someone who came from a different background than she did. I can only imagine the hole in your hearts, however, her body is perfect now and she is no longer in pain. God's grace to you all and our prayers are with you.
Micki Whalen
August 29, 2008
I graduated with Betsy from Grand Island Senior High in 1983. News of her illness came as a sad surprise. My memories of
Betsy include her smiling, upbeat spirit. Betsy and I swam together on swim team. She was such a bright light - one that grew brighter as her life beyond Grand Island expanded.
Please know that your family is in my prayers. We are all blessed for having known her.
Micki (Gosda) Whalen
Carolyn Clement
August 28, 2008
I am so sorry to hear the news about Betsy. She was a bright light in our class of 1983 at Grand Island Senior High -- funny, smart, and kind to everyone. She had a quick wit, a deep intellect and a far-reaching view of the world. It was clear to everyone who knew her that she was going to make a difference in our world and I see that she indeed has. I pray that God will comfort and bless those who mourn her.
Adina Riggins
August 28, 2008
I am so moved by everything that people have written. I got to know Betsy at UNCW, where I am a librarian and archivist. I was struck by how friendly and outgoing and warm Betsy was -- to everyone, even librarians! She was an amazing writer, scholar, and teacher with all the energy and vitality in the world. We would talk about our daughters and share funny stories about pre-schools, baby-sitters, you name it. I will miss her so much. UNCW has lost a great person and professor. I am grateful she was here; I wish she was still with us. Willa and Don and all of your friends & family -- my thoughts and prayers are with you during this time.
Kelly Ryan Lutomski
August 27, 2008
I met Betsy while attending GISH. I don't remember exactly how we met, but I do recall ours was an instant friendship. Betsy was talented, bright, and possessed a spry sense of humor. I admired her intelligence and considered myself fortunate to be her friend.
On the day we graduated from highschool, our English teacher, the revered Mr. Kral (presently historian for the town of Wilber) chased us down running from the football field to the front of the school, a distance of about three blocks. When he caught up with us, he spread his arms and hugged us both telling us that he would miss us very much. At first, we were shocked, but then we laughed until we cried. I was such a poor speller that I was in his "spelling" study hall more often than the regular hall. He told Betsy that she would make a great scholar (he was right on!). He told me that I would make a great toy store owner!
Betsy earned a regent's scholarship to attend the University of Nebraska, but chose to attend Kearney State College (lucky me!). The stage was set, we were off to college as roommates.
We rocked our student hall, Ludden, sometime directing our boombox tunes to unsuspecting friends walking in the commons area and we always had food on hand for impromptu parties.
A sleepover friend once told us that we carried on a conversation while we were sleeping. She tried to join in, but Betsy and I continued to talk with one another.
During her sophomore year, she attended school in Grenoble France. I missed her dearly, but looked forward to greeting the mailman, hoping to receive words from Bets. Her letters were so jam packed with words, I needed a ruler and magnifying glass to read them. Postage was extremely expensive so Betsy was getting the most for her dollar.
I could go on and on with our stories, but I will draw to a close. I will miss Betsy more than any words will ever express.
Don, Willa, and the Ervin Family, my thoughts and prayers are with you.
Shari Wit
August 27, 2008
Dearest Eldon and Dorothy:
My thoughts and prayers, along with my love, are with you now and always. You are both such wonderful people and very special to me. May the comfort of friends help you and your family through this time. I am sure that the pride you can take in having such a remarkable daughter will also help to console you.
Caryn (Garey) Anderson
August 27, 2008
To Betsy's family:
I graduated from high school with Betsy and was so sorry to hear that she had passed away. I, too, have been diagnosed with breast cancer and know the pain that you have all endured these last few years as she fought this terrible illness. My family's prayers are with you all.
Gary Ostwald
August 27, 2008
I am sorry to hear of your loss. I graduated from high school with Betsy.
Very Respectfully
Patty Roenfeldt Chase
August 27, 2008
Don, Willa, and the Ervin Family - Betsy was one in a million, and she will be deeply missed. My thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Stephanie (Ward) McFadden
August 27, 2008
I am so sorry to hear about your loss. Betsy and I graduated from high school together. I remember her as a bright, entergetic and wonderful person. It is of no surprise that she was so accomplished. Betsy was always destined for great things!! Please accept my deepest sympathies.
Mary Kay Tuma
August 27, 2008
Eldon & Dorothy:
I am so sorry for your loss. Please know I'm keeping your family in my prayers.
Mary Kay Tuma
(Knickrehm Media Center)
Michelle McDonald
August 27, 2008
I was shocked and saddened when I opened the paper and read of Betsy's passing. I went to school with Betsy during Junior and Senior High and can still see her fabulous smile. I don't remember her without one! I am not surprised by all of her accomplishments, she was destined to do great things. God Bless you Willa and Don as I know this is a very difficult time.
Michelle (Sutliff) McDonald
Phillips, NE
Meredith Williams
August 27, 2008
God bless Betsy's family in this time of loss. Betsy was a friend from high school and I'll always remember her sweet smile that would brighten my day.
Melissa Whiting
August 26, 2008
The first time I saw Betsy was in a wedding photo that Don kept with him. I remarked about how pretty she was, and he totally agreed. That was at an AP Reading in San Antonio. Meeting Betsy in person was also a treat, and I'll always remember her vitality and grace. Willa and Don, my thoughts are with you.
Todd Mitchell
August 26, 2008
I am deeply saddened by Betsy's passing and my heartfelt sympathy goes out to the entire family. Betsy and I went to grade school together in Grand Island and college at UNK. Betsy was brilliant as a child, a teen and an adult and I'm sure her star will be shining brightly in the heavens for eternity. God bless.
Carol Reeves
August 26, 2008
Betsy Ervin is one of the few people whose face and personality has not become misty in my mind in the 19 years since she and I were in grad school at TCU. Willa, you know what I remember about her? She was so silly! And Fun! She had this bird named Puc, and he was a silly bird! He'd squawk to be let out of his cage, but once free, he'd just stay in his cage and go back and forth on his little swing, as if he just couldn't decide what to do. Betsy would gently take him out and he'd sit on her shoulder. I can see both of them like it was yesterday. It's funny how some people just stay with you, in your mind, just as they were back then. I never saw your mother as an ill person, so it is very hard for me to believe that she was ill and that she is gone. She's not really gone, remember that. Well, she's in your mind, forever.
With fondness,
Carol Reeves
Anne Ruzicka Deterding
August 26, 2008
Betsy and I knew each other from the Grand Island Senior High days. We shared a lot of crazy times then like "bush whacking" the high school couples who were at inspiration point(Stolley Park parking lot) by flashing our lights on them. And, when I went to college 700 miles away and didn't hardly know a soul, she kept a steady supply of entertaining letters coming my way. Betsy could always make anyone laugh with her colorful stories and quick, quirky one liners. Its no wonder she has gone so far and accomplished so much in her short life. Everyone knew she was destined for greatness. I'll sorely miss her and I'll never forget her. I am so sorry Don, Willa, Dorothy, Eldon, Ed, Andy and Dan. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Dick and Carol Lee Bushman
August 26, 2008
Don and Willa
Our hearts ache for you and our prayers are with you. May God give you strength and courage. I am sure your Mom and Betsy are holding each other and sending their Love to you.
Gods Peace and
Our Heartfelt Sympathy
Michele Hanson
August 26, 2008
My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Catherine Stroud
August 26, 2008
Don and Willa,
It is with great sorrow that Lauren and I send our prayers to you and your family.
Anne-Marie Hall
August 25, 2008
We have been following Betsy's stellar career from the University of Arizona for many years. In her time at UA, I worked with Don and so enjoyed their smart talk about rhetoric, their amazing connectedness, and their penetrating questions about our field. As a breast cancer survivor, I have followed Betsy's own struggle with personal grief. My heart is so heavy....Much love to Don and Willa.
Daphne Desser
August 25, 2008
Many of knew that this day was coming, but now that it is here, I simply can not imagine our world without Betsy. I had always admired Betsy and her scholarship (first from afar; we attended the same graduate school and she was a year or two ahead of me) and over the years we became friends over e-mail, sharing our experiences as mothers, academics, and as spouses of husbands in the same department and academic field. Our lives overlapped in many ways: her daughter Willa was born right around the same time as my daughter Zoe was; she helped me name my son Henry. We read each other’s academic work. Betsy was a fascinating person to know--smart, capable, emotionally present; she never stated the obvious but demanded of herself a perspective that was hard-earned and decidedly her own. I felt like I could give Betsy my toughest questions and the hardest facts of my life, and she wouldn't shy away from them, allowing us both to look at our lives in their dazzling complexity and sometimes laugh and sometimes cry. I wish we still had her with us. I will miss her so very much. My love goes out to Don and Willa. I am so sorry for your loss.
Brenda Beach (formerly Burke)
August 25, 2008
Don, Willa and family,
Mine is a name you probably don't know. I am very close friends with Christi Dady (formerly Kegley), and have been aware of Betsy's courageous fight through Christi. Per Betsy's request, I didn't add to the communication trail out of respect for Betsy's need to save her strength and energies toward sharing time with her immediate family.
What I'd like to do, is share some fun things with you Willa, that you maybe don't know entirely about your mother. I'm not certain who might still be in touch with your family that might be able to share some of these lighter, sillier things....so maybe someday you'll enjoy reading this as you step into your own college-aged years. :)
I knew your mother a bit while I was in college, meeting her during my sophomore year. We were in the same sorority at Kearney State College for a while. It was called "Chi Omega." Betsy always was immaculately dressed and I seem to remember her wearing often a bright green, Ralph Lauren sweater. Must have been one of her favorites. :)
Your mother was not only a vibrant, intelligent woman, but was always smiling and we all felt she would either win a Pulitzer Prize some day - or, be a model...or both. She obviously went on to be incredibly successful in her teachings, writings and many other pursuits.
Our sorority had special songs we would sing - I remember going to gatherings and 'serenading' these songs around campus. We'd make up big mugs of hot chocolate, and about 50 of us would stop beneath a balcony of unsuspecting homes and start singing our songs until someone would come out and listen to us. Your mother was always one of the most stylish and 'together' persons in all ways. In her company and with other friends, we did fund raisers for Easter Seals wearing silly bunny costumes, helped build parade floats (which really didn't look all that great, but we had fun anyway), made posters for special events, attended football games with large groups, went to some gentler parties...but we were not the truly wild ones folks sometimes hear about. :) We went to many formal dances and did all the usual things college girls should do. I was an English major too, and your mother helped me go through some of my coursework when I needed a second opinion.
I had the pleasure of seeing your mother again a little over a year ago, when she came to Christi Kegley's wedding here in Minnesota, and she looked absolutely lovely even in the throws of her battle with cancer. She was wearing a lovely black dress and hat with a red decoration - your mother was the envy of many. I thought she looked like a European model. :) I am thrilled that I got to see your mother once again, and talk and laugh about how silly we were in college and how much fun we had just doing typical girl things. She and Christi knew each other far better during those days, but I was always complimented whenever your mother would ask me to join her and others shopping, etc. She didn't seem any different to me than Princess Diana might have been, always worthy of at least as much respect and carrying herself with such grace.
These may seem like silly things to write, Willa. However I'm not sure how many persons from that time of your mother's life will be writing in here. And someday you may be embarking upon days like that of your own. Your mother was always in positive company, made good decisions, looked out for her friends, and conducted herself in a playful yet respectable manner - offered the utmost respect to others.
Your mother will be truly missed by sooo many. How beautiful it is she was able to offer her gifts through teaching, and to your family in the time she was here.
I will be thinking of you and your family, offering to you my prayers, and well wishes for the times ahead. Betsy will be smiling down on us all - no doubt in heaven's latest fashions. :)
With loving thoughts,
- Brenda R. Beach (formerly Burke).
William Wright
August 25, 2008
Goodbye Betsy. We will miss your brilliance and humor. God bless Don and Willa. Be loved.
-Bill Wright and Michele Hanson
Debbie and Sam Armitage
August 25, 2008
Betsy may you rest in peace. We will miss you dearly.
Alexis Hart
August 25, 2008
I had the privilege of serving on the Spilman Symposium on Issues in Teaching Writing Advisory Board with Betsy. I think of how spirited and intelligent she was and what a great impression she made on me as a scholar, teacher, and colleague, not to mention an academic mom. She made this impression on me after just a short time, and I'm saddened that our interactions were so few. She will be missed, and I wish the best for her family.
Donna Gunter
August 25, 2008
I was a librarian at UNCW several years back and remember Betsy well. I am so saddened to hear of her loss. I hope you, Don, your daughter, and all of Betsy's family find peace and solace during this time and the years to come.
Amy Kimme Hea
August 24, 2008
I will miss Betsy. She was a great friend, and I enjoyed our many phone conversations about our lives. We loved talking about our children, and she talked about her love and respect for you Willa. She was proud of you. We also talked about books, work, spouses, and being academic women. I will miss those conversations. I will miss her. Don and Willa, please take care of one another.
With sadness, Amy, Steven, Aidan, and Virginia Kimme Hea
Greg Glau
August 24, 2008
Don and family,
our hearts and prayers are with you.
Betsy and I were Teaching Assistants at the UofA, and I remember well her good questions and thoughtful answers in class -- and, of course, her laughter and good spirits. We all will miss her dearly.
Teresa Lambe
August 24, 2008
Don & Willa & Family,
We are saddened by your loss... Betsy's loving spirit was evident in every interaction we had with her... and in Willa's beaming smile.
You are in our thoughts,
Teresa Lambe and Martha Glenn
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