Mrs. Bettie J. Agnew

Bettie Joyce Greenleaf Agnew was born November 29, 1938 to Ben and Louvenia Elmore Greenleaf in Houston, Texas. Her mother died when she was four years old. Bettie and her older sister, Nettie, were loved and nurtured by a strong circle of family, which included their aunt Jennie Mae Elmore Brooks, who raised them in Coldspring, Texas, and their father and stepmother, Mary Greenleaf. The girls, Bettie Joyce and Nettie Joyce, as they were affectionately called, often traveled to Houston, and spent time with their aunts, who ensured that they would become confident, God-fearing women who would not be limited by their circumstances.

At an early age, Bettie accepted Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior and was baptized under the leadership of Pastor Alfred of First New Mount Calvary Baptist Church located in Houston’s Fifth Ward community. She later moved her membership to New Mount Calvary Baptist Church located in Kashmere Gardens, where she coordinated Easter and Christmas plays for the youth ministry, planned church picnics, taught Sunday school, and created the church souvenir booklets. After moving to the North Forest Community, she joined Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church under the leadership of Dr. James E. Lightfoot and remained a faithful member for forty-two years. During her tenure at Mt. Zion, Bettie served on the Scholarship Committee and the Hostess Committee. She was also a Sunday school teacher for the singles ministry, mission teacher, women’s retreat coordinator, member of the Church Council, and the Mt. Zion Foundation Board of Directors. The daughter of a gospel quartet singer, Bettie had a love for gospel music.

Most of Bettie’s school years were spent in Coldspring, a rural town in East Texas. She attended elementary school there and graduated from Lincoln High School. Although the school was very small, she flourished under the care of a community of teachers who encouraged her quest for knowledge and learning. To this day, Lincoln High School alumni boast that they had some of the best teachers in that part of the county. It was her music teacher who suggested during a music lesson that she enter librarianship. Bettie was forever grateful for this advice that led her to a career path that she thoroughly enjoyed. In 1955, she graduated from Lincoln High School as class salutatorian.

Bettie’s family was committed to education, and there was little to no choice about attending college. She enrolled at Prairie View A&M University in September 1955 and graduated in 1959 with a B.S. in Business Education with a certification in Library Science. Bettie landed a job with the Houston Independent School District (HISD) at Atherton Elementary School. She later completed graduate work at the University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, and in 1965 she received a Master of Library Science from Atlanta University, Atlanta, Georgia.

In 1962, Bettie married Robert L. Agnew. To this union was born a lovely daughter, Kimberly Cherice Agnew.

In the late 1960’s Bettie was selected to support the school district’s integration efforts and was assigned to Horn and Gordon elementary schools located in Bellaire. Bettie also worked at Grimes and Hohl elementary schools and Barbara Jordan High School for Careers. Her professional involvement was sparked early in her career. She worked with several organizations throughout the years to address concerns of librarians and to promote and communicate the merits of effective library programs. She was an iconic leader for school librarians and was not a stranger at the state capitol. Bettie even spoke on behalf of the profession before a United States congressional committee in Washington, D.C.

She assumed leadership positions, including serving as president of the Houston Association of School Librarians and the Texas Library Association Black Caucus. She presented numerous times at American Association of School Librarians conferences, and in 1984 her school was selected as one of the tour sites for the Houston conference. The tour was later cited in an issue of School Library Journal.

For many years, Bettie shared her activities-oriented library programs with librarians via demonstrations and presentations at district-wide inservices. Serving on numerous curriculum-writing committees and facilitating various training sessions allowed an opportunity to further share. Her philosophy was that the exchange of ideas with other professionals is invaluable and contributes immensely toward professional growth.

In 1994, Bettie was named Librarian of the Year for the Houston Independent School District. Later, she became the coordinator of the event and served in that capacity until retirement. The same year, she was awarded the National Women of Achievement Trendsetters Award for Outstanding Service to Humankind.

Bettie loved Armstrong Acres, where she lived for 43 years. She was the first woman elected president of the Armstrong Acres Civic Club and served faithfully in various capacities until very recently. She loved her neighbors and enjoyed decorating her yard for annual Christmas decoration contests, attending monthly civic club meetings, and advocating for the preservation and beauty of the very close-knit community of friends.

Upon retiring from the Houston Independent School District after 43 years of stellar service, Bettie devoted even more time to her family and community service. She coordinated high school reunions, family reunions, and church events. A proud Prairie View A&M University graduate, she served as secretary of the Class of 1959 Alumni Organization while mentoring PVU students. As a charter member, she tirelessly served as second vice-president, scholarship chair, secretary and fundraising chair of Top Ladies of Distinction, Inc., Lake Houston Chapter where a scholarship was established in her name. Bettie was a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Xi Alpha Omega Chapter, where she served alongside her daughter for nineteen years. She also served as vice-president of the Clark Atlanta Alumni Association during retirement. Family continued to be a priority, and her home was the central location for birthdays, Christmas, Easter, Thanksgiving, and her special T-bone steak parties that were exclusively for her and Kim. She was a gracious hostess who served everyone before she ate, always placing the needs of her guests first.

Bettie leaves her legacy of service and leadership with her devoted daughter, Dr. Kimberly Agnew Borders (Carlton) of Kingwood, Texas; sisters, Mrs. Nettie J. Edwards of Lubbock, Texas, Ms. Diunna F. Greenleaf of Houston, Texas; brother, Kevin T. Greenleaf of Houston, Texas; special cousin, Mrs. Valerie E. Leverett (Michael) of Houston, Texas; nieces, Mrs. Vicki L. Johnson (Joseph) of Newark, Delaware, Ms. Vinicia M. White of Houston, Texas, Minister Victoria B. White of Huntsville, Texas, Mrs. Valencia C. Knatte (Nathanial) of Huntsville, Texas, Ms. Michaela E. Leverett of Houston, Texas; nephews, Dr. Victa J. Edwards (Kristi) of Missouri City, Texas, Chef Mason T. Leverett of Houston, Texas; and a host of relatives and friends who will cherish her memory.

In lieu of flowers, you may make donations to the Bettie J. Agnew Scholarship fund which was established by the Lake Houston Chapter of Top Ladies of Distinction, Inc. Years ago. Donations may be made by PayPal at [email protected] or you may send a check to Lady Lolita Stevenson

at 14506 Cottage Timbers Houston Texas 77044. Please include a message in PayPal or on your check that the donation is for the Bettie J. Agnew Scholarship Fund.