MSU mourns the death of former English professor Betty Jo Peters

Morehead State University mourns the death of retired assistant professor of English, Betty Jo Peters, who died Monday, Feb. 20, 2023, at Community Hospice at age 84.

Born Nov. 27, 1938, in Hancock County, Tennessee, she began her career at MSU in 1975 as an administrative assistant for academic affairs. She joined the English faculty as an instructor in 1978 and was promoted to assistant professor in 1982. She retired after 30 years as an educator. During her tenure, she served as an academic advisor, was vice president of the Psi chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma, was a member of the Phi Delta Kappa Fraternity in Education, the Kentucky Council of Teachers of English, the National Council of Teachers in English, the Kentucky Philological Association, the Ashland Chapter of the American Association of University Women and the MSU Speaker's Bureau.

In addition to teaching, Peters produced her own line of natural herbal cosmetics and skin care products.

Survivors include her daughter, Dona (Tom) Ross of Catlettsburg; a brother, Wayne Francis of Tazewell, Tennessee and a sister, Anita Lyons of Georgetown. She was preceded in death by her parents, the late John and Mary Manning Francis; a daughter, Gretchen Flatt and a brother, Les Francis.

At the request of the deceased, there will be no funeral services. Steen Funeral Home in Ashland is handling arrangements. Online condolences may be made at the funeral home's website.