Mrs. Bettye Harris Keeter . was born on
February 21, 1930 to the union of Ivey James and
Cordelia Dunklin (Duncan) Harris in Mer Rouge, LA.
On Tuesday, October 31, 2017, the Lord called
Bettye home to receive her heavenly reward.

Bettye was educated through the public school
system in Bastrop, Louisiana. After graduating
from Morehouse High School, she began her
journey of higher education at Grambling College
of Louisiana where she received a Bachelor of
Science in Elementary Education in 1952. She later
attended Texas Southern University and in 1973
obtained a Master of Science in Education from
McNeese State University in addition to her+30.

With a love for education and the credentials to
match, Bettye began her teaching career as a first
grade teacher at J. J. Watson in Iowa, LA. She
continued working in education at Opelousas
Street Elementary, Iowa Elementary, Kennedy
Elementary, Cherry Street Elementary, Pearl
Watson Elementary and Junior High School, and
Rosteet Junior High. Retiring in 1983 and later
returning to the classroom, Bettye continued
preparing young minds for the future while later
permanently retiring from the Calcasieu Parish
School System in 1994 with a total of 41 years
committed to making a difference in the
classroom.

Bettye received her well known name of "Mrs.
Keeter" on September 26, 1958 through the
uniting of Holy Matrimony to James Henry Keeter.
This union brought forth their beloved daughter,
Monique Keeter (Thompson). The couple
remained married for46 years, until his death.

Mrs. Keeter was baptized at an early age at St.
Matthew Baptist Church of Mer Rouge, LA. She
joined New Sunlight Baptist Church in 1953 where
she was a faithful, dedicated, and active servant
for 64 years. "Keeter" was a Vacation Bible School
teacher, former Youth Director, Coordinator of the
church's anniversary, weddings, Talents for Christ
with the Area-Wide Baptist Youth Week
Observance, member of the gospel choir,
Women's Home Mission, Advisory Council,
Bereavement Committee, board member of the
Day Care Center, chairperson of the Condolence
Committee, and Church Historian. Mrs. Keeter's
Civic affiliations included member ofTop Ladies of
Distinction, Inc. (Top Teens of America), Calcasieu
Unit of Retired Teachers, Louisiana Retired
Teachers Association and Grambling State
University National Alumni Association.

She leaves to cherish her precious memory: her
daughter, Monique K. Thompson and son-in-law,
with a son's ties, Roman L. Thompson of Lake
Charles, LA; son, Dennis Harris of Mer Rouge, LA;
grandchildren, Aunjel Thompson, Rhea Thompson
and Santana Trahan (Mike) all of Lake Charles, LA;
sisters, Sadi Rose (David) of Bastrop, LA, Helen Hill
of Mobile, AL, and Callie Wilson of Mer Rouge, LA;
sisters-in-law, Ruby Harris of Monroe, LA and Lillie
Harris of Detroit, MI; Goddaughter, Karen
Fontenot of Houston, TX; step daughter-in-law,
Mary Jean Tate of Inglewood, CA; his children,
Wilma Wilkerson of Inglewood, CA and Arthur
James Keeter of Knoxville, TN; 13 grandchildren, 17
great-grandchildren and a host of other relatives
and friends.

She was preceded in death by her loving husband
of 46 years, James Henry Keeter, Sr.; parents, Ivey
and Cordelia Harris; sisters, Vera H. Carter and
Hazel H. Drumgoole; brothers, Columbus Harris,
Ivey J. Harris and Felix Harris; son, James Henry
Tate; grandson, Anthony Wilkerson; brothers-in-
law, James Wilson and Edward Hill.