Beverly Moore Bethune

Obituary of Beverly Moore Bethune
Beverly Moore Bethune died peacefully on March 28, 2022, in Tampa, FL, after a short battle with cancer. In her final moments, she slipped away holding her granddaughter's hand while surrounded by her family. She was 92 years old.
Beverly was an only child and spent her formative years in Miami, Florida. She was raised by parents Julian Moore, a Supervisor of Customs at the Port of Miami, and Mary Beverly Moore, an elementary school principal. Following her parents' emphasis on education as the foundation of life, Beverly graduated from Miami High School in 1946 and from the University of Georgia School of Journalism in 1950 with highest honors. She went on to receive her Master's Degree in Journalism from the University of Florida and later her Doctorate Degree from the University of Minnesota School of Journalism. She was a member of Phi Beta Kappa and the Zodiac Honor Society.
After working for Time Magazine in New York City and The Miami Herald in Miami, Florida, Beverly had a distinguished career as a University of Georgia professor of Journalism where she was highly regarded by her students and her professional colleagues. She was one of the first female professors at UGA Grady School of Journalism and one of the first female professors to earn tenure. She taught many aspects of journalism including newspaper article writing, magazine article writing, and photojournalism. Beverly particularly enjoyed teaching the popular introductory course, Journalism 101, where her enthusiasm for journalism inspired many students to make journalism their profession. She had the honor of being recognized as Teacher of the Year more than once in her teaching career. When she retired from teaching, she moved to Portland, Oregon and explored the beauty of the Northwestern United States before settling in Tampa, Florida in 2002.
An intellectual and a voracious reader, she read every page of the newspaper daily. She was a great fan and patron of the opera, ballet, and symphony. As a European history buff, she explored the history and culture in her travels through many European cities. She was grateful for the wonderful friendships she formed at the Unitarian Universalist Church, both in Tampa and in Portland, Oregon. She gave generously to organizations that care for endangered animals.
Beverly was blessed with a loving family. She raised her three children with patience, discipline, and compassion. She is survived by her daughter, Julia Bethune Millican [Dewitt] of Tampa, FL; her son, Downing Bethune [Carol] of Portland, OR; and her son, Edward Bethune, of Storrs, CT. She has four grandchildren she loved dearly: James Bethune, Dana Bethune Hendricks, Reese Millican, and Jasah Millican Hatten; and one great granddaughter, Alya Bethune. Beverly was a wonderful, supportive mother and grandmother who will be very much missed by her family.
A Memorial Service will be held to celebrate the life of Beverly Bethune on Sunday, October 16, 2022, at 2:00 PM in the Concordia Village Chapel. Concordia Village is located at 4100 East Fletcher Avenue in Tampa, Florida.
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