Betty Blackwell: No rest for this retiree

From volunteering at Bothwell Regional Health Center to serving on many organizations’ boards, Betty Blackwell spends most of her time helping others.

Blackwell, 72, of Sedalia, is retired now, but that does not mean she spends her time sitting at home.

Blackwell volunteers with Meals on Wheels and Bothwell Regional Health Center Auxiliary. She and her husband, Jack, are in charge of purchasing and displaying the candy and snacks at the gift shop, but that’s only the beginning.

“I’ve been blessed with good health and I want to use my time to benefit someone else,” Blackwell said.

Blackwell graduated from Breckenridge High School in 1952. She continued her education and was certified in secretarial sciences from Central Business College.

Throughout her career she has served as the administrative assistant to the superintendent of Sedalia schools, the Sedalia mayor and city administrator. 

She worked half days at the mayor’s office for seven years. Blackwell was secretary to the president of State Fair Community College from 1971 to 1984. She became the first director of development in 1984, but then went on to work in the school district until she retired in 1998.

“I’ve been very fortunate with my work opportunities,” Blackwell said.

Don Morton, of Sedalia, nominated Blackwell for the Freedom Torch Award for Community Service. He first met Blackwell through her husband at a SFCC basketball game.

“The more I got to know her the more I thought, ‘This is some lady,’ ” Morton said.

Morton said Blackwell is the go-to person in Sedalia. If something needs to be done, she is the one to make it happen.

“That’s just the type of person she is,” Morton said.

Blackwell has served as past president and campaign chairwoman for the Sedalia-Pettis County United Way. She also is past president of the Sedalia Salvation Army.

“I guess I never really thought about it, I just do it,” Blackwell said of serving with multiple organizations.

When Blackwell was growing up, her mother was very active and always involved in the community.

“I think I inherited that from my mother,” Blackwell said.

Morton said Blackwell is a lovable person and that people are just drawn to her, which makes it easy for her to be so involved in the community.

“She has a smile for everybody and you just don’t hear her complain about things,” Morton said.

Blackwell’s work has not gone unnoticed. As a member of the Business and Professional Women’s Organization, she served as past president and was recognized as Woman of the Year for 1983-84. She was also honored as Outstanding Citizen of the Year in 1982.

“It’s very much an honor to be named among those several other nice people who do so many different things to make this community a better place to live,” Blackwell said after learning about her nomination.

Morton said one of the main reasons he thought Blackwell is the perfect person for the award is because of her involvement in the community and the fact that she never asks to be recognized for it.

“She’s just a special person,” Morton said.

Morton said there a number of good people in Sedalia who donate money to organizations. Blackwell donates herself and her time, which can be more valuable, he said.

“If there’s anything good going on in Sedalia, she is involved,” Morton said.

She is an active member of the First Christian Church, has served as chair on the church board and is a past elder department chairwoman. 

Blackwell is a member of the Helen G. Steele Music Club and treasurer of the Sedalia Symphony Society. She is a member of the 40th anniversary committee for SFCC, a charter member of the Bothwell Regional Health Center Foundation and a member of the Philanthropic Educational Organization.

“If they have an opportunity and can, I think you gain more than you give,” Blackwell said about helping others. 

Blackwell’s true passion is still with SFCC. She and her husband still support the basketball team and she is a SFCC booster club member. 

“My love for the college will go on forever,” Blackwell said.

She said she is very pleased with the changes and progress the college has made throughout the years and she considered the staff and students part of her family. 

In her few minutes of free time, Blackwell watches sports and participates in activities at her church.

“I’ll just keep on going as long as I can,” she said.