Elizabeth “Bettye” Jones

Elizabeth S. “Bettye” Jones earned her master’s degree in nursing education in 1966, from Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia. The following year, she began her teaching career. Bettye and her husband, James R. “Jim” Jones, joined the faculty at WKU, she in the School of Nursing and Allied Health and he in the Department of Music. She had a prolific nursing career on the Hill and served as head of the department during the mid-1970s.

Bettye was a voracious reader, an exacting intellect, a passionate educator, and a fiercely loyal friend. She loved beautiful music, the study of history, and the company of a good dog. Her greatest joy, however, was her family. They have carried on her Hilltopper legacy. Bettye and Jim’s sons, Greg, who studied history and government, and Mike, who studied nursing, and their granddaughter Jordan, who studied biology and dance, all earned degrees at WKU.

To further give back to the university, the Elizabeth “Bettye” Jones Endowed Memorial Scholarship Fund in 2020, through Bettye’s estate. The fund assists deserving full-time WKU students who are majoring in nursing, with first preference given to those who demonstrate financial need. Through this fund, Bettye’s memory lives on in perpetuity.