Elizabeth "Betsy" Stevenson Boswell

If you love a young woman who was a Shelby County athlete, you probably have Elizabeth "Betsy" Stevenson Boswell to thank. A pioneer for women's sports, but first and always an incredible mother, wife, sister, friend, and Christian, Betsy passed peacefully at Baptist Reynolds Hospice House, Saturday, March 29, 2025, surrounded by her family, after a brief illness. Her Celebration of Life will take place Saturday, May 10, 11 a.m., at the Bartlett United Methodist Church Chapel, 5676 Stage Rd, Bartlett, TN 38134. A live stream of the service will take place on the Bartlett UMC Facebook page.

Born August 8, 1938, in Pulaski, Tennessee, Betsy was a cheerleader and athlete at then-Frayser High School, where her father, Leon McCoy "Steve" Stevenson, was principal, and her mother, Sara Leo Stevenson, was a teacher. Betsy received her own teaching degree at then-Memphis State University, where she was a varsity cheerleader for her beloved Tigers, a member of Alpha Gamma Delta Sorority, and nominee for Homecoming Court. After graduation, she married James Chester Boswell, a Memphis Police Department canine officer and ultimately homicide detective.

Betsy was excited to become an educator like her parents. After the birth of daughter Lynda Boswell, Betsy began her 40-year teaching career first at Bartlett High School, where she was the girls' Physical Education teacher and cheerleading sponsor. In 1972, Betsy had to leave her beloved job due to pregnancy with her second daughter, Laura, just ahead of provisions protecting professional women who also chose to have families. But as always, Betsy used this change as an opportunity that positively influenced many lives to come. She began teaching English, Health, and Physical Education at Germantown High School, where she coached basketball, track, and cross county for more than 30 years before retirement from Collierville High School.

During her tenure at Germantown, Betsy was a force for girls' sports, elevating respect for her teams and demanding equal time on the courts and fields normally reserved for the boys. The result was countless state titles, college-bound athletes, and awards, including Best of the Preps Coach of the Year. She always saw her teams as family and ensured the girls who faced difficult home lives had the rides, clothing, school supplies, and Christmas gifts they needed. Even through her final years, Betsy received numerous cards and well wishes from former students and team members who credited her with helping them become confident young women. Betsy's two daughters became successful college athletes themselves, Lynda, captain of the national champion Memphis Pom Squad, and Laura, a volleyball and track athlete who earned a scholarship to Centre College (KY) and was named Kentucky NCAA Woman of the Year.

Widowed at age 46, Betsy continued undeterred with her post-graduate education pursuits to achieve 50 hours above her University of Memphis master's degree. She also grew her own athletic accomplishments in retirement as a member of the Tennessee Senior Olympics track and badminton teams. When not competing, Betsy enjoyed reading, cooking, traveling, and birding.

For nearly 50 years, Betsy was a devoted member of Bartlett United Methodist Church, where she attended Sunday School, volunteered at church events, and supported missions like Appalachian Service Project. It was here she met Richard "Dick" Spore, her beloved companion for almost 30 years until his passing in 2021.

Betsy was preceded in death by husband James Chester Boswell, parents Leon and Sara Stevenson, brother Leon "Steve" Stevenson, and sister Mary "Cissy" Stevenson Kohler. She is survived by her daughters Lynda Boswell (Mark Hogan) of Collierville; Laura Milliken (Wes) of Bowling Green, Kentucky; brother William "Bill" Stevenson (Leni) of Woodland Hills, Colorado; grandchildren Hunter Harrington (Elizabeth and great-granddaughter Foster Elizabeth) of Germantown and Savannah Harrington of Memphis; and bonus granddaughters Abby Thomas (Parker), Chloe Milliken, and Ruth Milliken, all of Bowling Green. She is also loved and missed by numerous nieces, nephews, and other family members across the country.

The family asks that any donations be sent to Bartlett United Methodist Church's Appalachian Service Project to help build and repair homes and share the Gospel in that region.