Coach Harry Betts

Harry Carlton Betts, 92, beloved husband of Eva Louise Maynard Betts and longtime resident of Painter, Virginia, passed away peacefully at his home on Thursday, April 24, 2025.

Born in Wachapreague, Virginia, Harry was the son of the late James Betts and the late Ella Mae Crockett Betts. He proudly served in the United States Navy from 1950 to 1954 during the Korean War, where he held the rating of Yeoman Third Class aboard the U.S.S. Menelaus (AVS-13) with the U.S. Sixth Fleet. For his honorable service, he received the Good Conduct Medal and an Honorable Discharge.

Harry pursued his education at the University of Virginia, earning a Bachelor of Science in Education, where he majored in Physical Education and minored in Social Studies and Science. He continued his graduate studies in Secondary Administration at Old Dominion University, completing six hours of coursework in 1966, and furthered his studies in Political Science with six hours at Old Dominion University between 1970 and 1971. Later in his career, he completed an additional nine hours of Political Science coursework at Liberty University in 1992 and 1993. He held a Collegiate Professional Secondary Certificate from the state of Virginia as well as a Secondary Certificate from the Christian Educators Association of the Southeast.

Throughout his lifetime of service in education, Harry was a passionate teacher and coach. He taught U.S. History and U.S. Government and served as Head Football Coach at Nandua High School in Onley, Virginia from 1984 to 1994. Before that, he led the Social Studies Department, served as Athletic Director, and coached football at Carroll Christian Academy in Westminster, Maryland from 1981 to 1984. He held similar roles at Riverdale Baptist School in Upper Marlboro, Maryland from 1979 to 1981, Lynchburg Christian Academy in Lynchburg, Virginia from 1977 to 1979, Faith Christian School in Chesapeake, Virginia from 1975 to 1977, and Gold Coast Christian School in Fort Lauderdale, Florida from 1972 to 1975. Earlier in his career, he worked in Virginia public schools, teaching at Western Branch High School in Chesapeake from 1968 to 1972, Churchland High School in Portsmouth from 1965 to 1968, and Atlantic High School in Oak Hall from 1958 to 1965. Over his career, Harry taught a range of subjects including Physical Education, History, Political Science, Civics, and Americanism vs. Communism, supervised student teachers, and became certified in driver’s education in both Virginia and Maryland.

Harry was deeply respected for his leadership both in the classroom and on the athletic field. He was honored with yearbook dedications in 1963, 1973, and 1977, and was named Teacher of the Month in 1965. As a coach, his teams won the Group "A" State Track Championships in Virginia from 1961 to 1963, and the Group "A" State Football Championship in 1964. His football teams captured several District "A" and "4A" Championships in 1960, 1961, 1964, and 1967, and he was recognized as one of the five best football coaches in the Tidewater region during the 1971 season. In 1979, while serving as an Assistant Coach at Lynchburg Baptist College (now Liberty University), his team won the NCCAA Track Championship. He also led teams to a District "A" Football Championship and a Regional Runner-Up finish in 1989 and was named Regional Coach of the Year that same season.

A man of deep Christian faith, Harry served as a Prison Chaplain at Calvary Baptist Church in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, the Downtown Rescue Mission in Fort Lauderdale, and Rustburg Prison in Virginia, representing Thomas Road Baptist Church in Lynchburg. He also participated in the Bus Ministry at Calvary Baptist Church in Fort Lauderdale, demonstrating his commitment to outreach and ministry. Harry was a longtime member of Exmore Baptist Church and held memberships with the Virginia Education Association, the National Education Association, the Christian Educators Association of the Southeast, the Florida Christian Association, and the National Christian Education Association of America.

In addition to his loving wife, Eva, Harry is survived by his daughter, Mary Ellen; his grandchildren, Nikki and Matt Wilkins, Christi and Jason Embler, and Katie and Jordan Dickens; his great-grandchildren, Lexi Wilkins, McKenley and Asher Embler, and Lawson, Kennady, and Ellie Dickens; and his brother-in-law, John Marshall and his wife Jean. He is also survived by his stepchildren, Roger Adkins and his wife Anne, Jeannette Schoridt, Harold Adkins and his wife Barbara, Walter Tomlinson and his wife Beth, and Gary Tomlinson. He was predeceased by Harry Stuart Bell and Billie Lou Marshall.

Funeral services will be conducted Wednesday, April 30, 2025, at 2:00 PM at Doughty Funeral Home with Reverend Jonathan Carpenter officiating. Family will join friends one hour prior to the service. Interment will follow at Downings Cemetery. Flowers will be accepted, or memorial contributions may be made to Exmore Baptist Church, 11624 Occohannock Neck Road, Exmore, Virginia 23350.

Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.doughtyfuneralhome.com. Arrangements are being handled by Doughty Funeral Home in Exmore, Virginia.