Betty Lou Wright

Betty Lou (Christensen) Wright died Sunday, February 5th at St. Francis Via Christi hospital in Wichita, KS. Betty was 1 of 10 children born to Clarence and Signe Christensen. She was born on August 28, 1934 in McPherson, KS. She graduated from McPherson High School and went on to McPherson College. After one year at McPherson College, Betty transferred to Kansas State Teacher’s College on a softball scholarship where she earned her teaching degree in Physical Education. Betty was catcher and switch hitter for the team.

Betty taught 1 year at Yates Center before she married Richard W Wright on June 2, 1957 in McPherson, KS. The union was blessed with 5 children, 1 girl and 4 boys. Betty was a stay at home mom until all her kids were in school full time. She then went to work at St. Mary’s hospital in Emporia, KS as the night desk secretary. She worked that job for 7 years. In 1979, she became the Executive Director of the Flint Hills Girl Scout Council which included 7 ½ counties. Betty saw many changes in Girl Scouting in her 21 years as the executive director. Betty was a staunch advocate for teaching girls and women life skills so they could be strong productive women in society. She was also a champion of the handicapped and underdog. Betty was the driving force that saw the creation of the Amend G.S. Center which gave the girl scouts a permanent home. With the Amend Center project, Betty was able to prove to the girl scouting community that when everyone gives a little, big goals can be achieved.

Betty was a very hard person to say “NO” to. This was seen over the years of G.S. events as she mobilized men and women alike to run the various scouting events that were held throughout the Flint Hills council. Family was never exempt from these activities either as she signed up her boys, brothers and their wives on a regular basis to help.

Betty retired from her position as Executive Director from the Flint Hills G.S. council on June 30, 2000. In her retirement years she enjoyed spending time with her family and friends traveling and playing Texas Hold’em poker.

Betty was a member of the First Christian church where she served on many committees throughout her lifetime.

Betty is survived by daughter Jayne Wright of Phoenix, AZ, and son - David Wright and wife Patty of Derby, KS, R. Todd Wright and wife Cathy, Joe Wright and wife Erin, Tim Wright and wife Kristi all of Emporia, KS. She is also survived by grandchildren Steven Wright, Rachel Hurd, Alex Wright, Jason Wright, Josh Wright, Jacob Wright, Elizabeth Wright, and Abigail Wright. Betty has 4 great-grandchildren. Betty was preceded in death by her husband Richard and grandchildren Samantha Jo Wright and Ryan T Wright and all 9 brothers and sisters.

No funeral services will be held. There will be a memorial party on April 22nd at the Emporia VFW from 1-3pm to celebrate Betty’s life and accomplishments. Memorials can be made to Catholic Charities Adult Day Services at give.catholiccharitieswichita.org and American Foundation for Suicide Prevention at afsp.org in honor of her predeceased grandchildren. Memorials can be sent to Timothy Wright 1372 Road 200 Emporia, KS 66801.