Betsy Frye Randall

Helen Elizabeth "Betsy" Frye Randall, 63, of Summit, MS, died at Beacham Memorial Hospital in Magnolia on Thursday, August 9, 2012, following a courageous battle with cancer. Visitation will be Saturday from 5-8 p.m. at Hartman-Sharkey Funeral Home in McComb and continue Sunday at 1 p.m. at Centenary United Methodist Church in McComb. Services will be at 2 p.m. from the church with the Reverend David Cumbest officiating. Dr. George "Chip" Leggett will deliver the eulogy, and Charles Frye will read scripture. A private family graveside inurnment will be held at a later date in Magnolia Cemetery in Magnolia. Betsy was born August 13, 1948, in New Orleans, and in 1952 moved to Magnolia, MS, where she resided until 2009 when she married her beloved Neal and moved to Summit where they enjoyed an all too brief but extraordinarily happy marriage in a home always open to family and friends. She attended public schools in Magnolia and was a 1966 honor graduate of South Pike High School. While at South Pike, she participated in many activities, band and student government in particular; in her senior year she was elected Miss South Pike High School. She received an Associate of Arts Degree from Stephens College in Columbia, MO, in 1968, and a Bachelor of Arts Degree from the University of Mississippi in 1970. Her entire professional career of 30-plus years was spent teaching at her alma mater. She taught United States history, law-related studies, and humanities, and sponsored or co-sponsored student council, mock trial, tennis, and homecoming events. She obtained a commercial driver's license so she could transport her students without inconveniencing other school personnel. She generously shared her educational expertise by mentoring student teachers and encouraging less experienced colleagues. For many years Betsy was a coach with the South Pike mock trial team, which achieved national recognition by being the only Mississippi team ever to win the national championship. Passionate about teaching and always innovative, she developed an original humanities curriculum featuring art and architecture; one unit featured the architecture of Magnolia storefronts and houses in a unique "Walk through History" tour of the city. This architectural unit was published in the Delta Kappa Gamma Bulletin, a publication of The Delta Kappa Gamma Society International. A Robert Taft Institute fellow, Betsy was named Star Teacher by the Mississippi Economic Council, American History Teacher of the Year by the Daughters of the American Revolution, and High School Teacher of the Year by the South Pike Area Chamber of Commerce. In 2000, Betsy attained National Board Certified Teacher status. She was a member of Delta Kappa Gamma Society International, National Council for the Social Studies, National Council for History Education, and Phi Delta Kappa. Earlier this year she was inducted into the South Pike Alumni Hall of Fame. Betsy worked closely with the Mississippi Department of Education in developing the social studies curriculum and state testing materials, serving on the Curriculum Writing Team and the Subject Area Test Development Committee. Her own U. S. history classes regularly earned enviable scores on the state subject area tests. In retirement she shared her experience and knowledge as a consultant with the JBHM Education Group. An avid sports enthusiast, Betsy enjoyed playing Tuesday Night Tennis and USTA League competition. As a spectator she attended Wimbledon, the US Open, and other professional matches. She also enjoyed golfing, hunting, and swimming with family and friends. A lifelong Methodist, Betsy was a member of the Magnolia United Methodist Church until she joined Centenary in 2009. While in Magnolia, she served in various capacities including chairman of the Council on Ministries. At Centenary she was a member of the Bykota Circle. Betsy was unassuming and never pretentious. She will be remembered for taking the highroad personally, socially, and professionally. She was witty but never used her wit harshly, as she was keenly aware of others' feelings and went out of her way not to offend. She was competitive but only within the bounds of fair play. Gregarious herself, friends flocked to her, attracted by her unique ability to make everyone feel special. This same quality inspired spontaneous donations from scores of friends to establish in her honor a scholarship fund for aspiring teachers. She is survived by her husband Ernest Neal Randall, her son Gregory Brinson all and his wife Jacqueline Johnson Wall of Summit and their children Hana Elizabeth Wall, Kaylea Marie Wall and Charles Johnson "C.J." Wall, her daughter Mary Helen Wall of Jackson, and her husband's daughter Shannon Randall Anderson and her husband Gary Anderson of Petal and their children Lily Anderson and Landry Anderson. She is also survived by her parents Dr. Harry Charles Frye Jr. and Helen McGehee Frye of Magnolia, a sister Nancy Frye McElwee and her husband James Ware "Jim" McElwee of Magnolia and Highlands, NC, a brother Harry Charles "Charlie" Frye III and his wife Victoria Ott Frye of McComb, a niece Elizabeth McElwee Kopec and her husband Steven of Hong Kong, and a host of dear friends. Pallbearers will be Ricky Allen, Mac Anders, Carroll Case, Sammy Clark, Mac Gordon, Mack Honea, Harvey McGehee, Clarence Morgan, Whitney Rawlings, John Gordon Roach, and Petey Smith. Memorials may be made to the Betsy Frye Randall Scholarship Fund, c/o Carol Rawlings, 521 Louisiana Ave., McComb 39648. Share condolences at Hartman-Sharkeyfuneralhome.com