Betty V Norton

Betty V Norton
November 22, 1931 -
November 9, 2025
On November 9, 2025, just shy of her 94th birthday, after a brief illness, Betty V Norton was reunited in heaven with her life partner, Frank. Betty was a wonderful wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, friend, role model, mentor, and a leader in the North Georgia community.
Betty was born on November 22, 1931. Her father was a newspaper publisher and she lived across two continents, born in Havana, Cuba, educated in New Jersey, Bogota Columbia, and Lakeland Florida. At age 16, Betty traveled by boat and train to attend Brenau College in Gainesville where she found a warm welcome.
After graduating magna cum laude from Brenau she went to work for LIFE magazine in New York City. She then returned to Brenau to teach language arts at Brenau Academy. There she met and married her best friend, Frank Norton. She quickly became involved in leadership positions in many organizations and church activities. She was President of the Lanier Study Club, President of Gainesville First United Methodist Women's Society, Chair of Brenau Alumnae Association, and President of the Junior League where she helped establish the Northeast Georgia Speech and Healing Center.
When her 3 children reached school age, Betty returned to college and earned a master's degree in clinical psychology from the University of Georgia. She then became employed as Hall County Schools' first school psychologist.
Three years later, she changed her direction and entered the business world and became a partner in her husband's residential real estate business. At the time there were no educational requirements other than passing the State Board exam. To learn the business, she studied Robert Semenov's book – 20 Questions and Answers on Real Estate and became the first woman Realtor in Northeast Georgia. She was one of the pioneer women business leaders in North Georgia and a champion for women leadership opportunities. Over the years she became President of the Gainesville-Hall County Board of Realtors, organized the local Multiple Lising Service, and was a constant top producer in the Lake Lanier market.
During those years, she served as Chairman of the Chestatee Regional Library Board, and Vice-Chair, of Community Development of Gainesville Hall County Chamber of Commerce. She organized the Clean Community Council, which later became Keep Hall Beautiful. She was honored to serve on the Brenau University Board of Trustees for 35 years, retiring as Trustee Emeritus. During her service to Brenau, she was a student, faculty member, volunteer, First Chair of Board of Visitors, Trustee, and Mentor.
As a lifelong learner, at 82 years she began taking art classes at the Quinlan, Women's Bible studies at First Methodist and an avid reader and being "Nana" to her 11 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren.
Betty's philosophy – "Do not be a Bystander in Life. Get in the game and get involved."
Betty is survived by her three children: sons, Frank, Jr. (Nancy), Bob (Amanda) and daughter Elisa Cooper. Grandchildren; Teddie (Mike) Riley, Tripp (Chelsea) Norton, Emilie (Pat) Cisco, Robert Norton, Kate (Bo) Wren, Maggie (Shawn) Tomberlin, Jacob Norton, Eliza Norton, Michael (Emily) Cooper, William Cooper and Thomas Cooper and 15 great grandchildren.
Betty's Celebration of Life will be held at 2:00 Tuesday, November 18, 2025, at 2:00 at Gainesville First United Methodist Church with reception to follow at the church.
In lieu of flowers, the family request that you honor Betty's legacy with a donation to Gainesville First United Methodist Church, Brenau University Scholarship for Women's Leaders which she established or to the North Georgia Community Foundation.
Memorial Park Riverside Chapel, 989 Riverside Drive, Gainesville, GA 30501. 770-297-6200. For online condolences www.memorialparkfuneralhomes.com