Betty Fomby White

Betty Fomby White was born named Betty Lee Williams at 6:45AM in Baltimore, Maryland on May 6, 1934. Her name became Betty Lee Wright in the 1950’s when she married her first husband Walter H. Wright Jr. with whom she had her only son Kerry D. Wright. In the early 1980’s she married her second husband Felee Fomby and she became Betty Lee Fomby. Finally in the 2000’s when she married her third husband Lonnie Ray White, she became Betty Fomby White.

Under these various names she earned numerous academic achievements. In the 1950’s as Betty Lee Williams she earned a Certificate in Nursing from the Harlem Hospital Center School of Nursing. As Betty Lee Wright she earned a Bachelor of Science in Nursing with Honors degree from the University of Maryland, Baltimore School of Nursing in June of 1970 and Master of Public Health degree from The Bloomberg School of Public Health at The Johns Hopkins University in May of 1978. As Betty Lee Fomby she was conferred her crowning academic achievements when she earned a Master of Science in Nursing degree from Northwestern State University in December of 1983 and finally her Doctor of Philosophy with a major in Nursing degree from Texas Woman’s University in August of 1986.

Betty often told the story how her grandmother Mame Cook made her a nurse’s uniform when she was a young child and how she would take care of her grandmother as she aged. Her love for nursing endured her entire life. She made one of her proudest commitments in nursing when she became a member of Chi Eta Phi Sorority, Inc.

After holding positions in Public Health Nursing and many Director of Nursing positions she became a nursing educator. She taught several levels of nursing education at Grambling State University, Dillard University, The University of Pheonix, and Southern University. Some of her highest achievements in life were her students; she was so proud of them and she said it all the time.

She was a devoted member of the Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Betty would regularly attend when she was up and mobile. Even after she lost her ability to walk, she regularly watched Paster Smith on television. Being able to stay in touch with her church family through television was a great comfort to her.

Always searching for ways to give back to the community Betty started the organizations Community Partners at Work, Nurses Working for Our Patients, Ask Dr. Betty, and Agape Transportation. She sponsored gospel presentations for the community’s enjoyment and she sponsored opportunities for Baton Rouge residents to gain greater access to community leaders and politicians.

Betty was the baby child of her parents Gertrude Cook Williams and Cannon (Carmen) Williams. She grew up on Robert St. in Baltimore City with her siblings Dewitt Williams, Delores Ridgley, and Phyllis Taylor. Her surviving relatives are her son Kerry Wright, her nephew Varden Williams, and her grandniece Chandler Kirby whose mother Jenine Taylor passed before Betty.

A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date.