Betty Jeanne Ewing Crowe

EleanorBetty Jeanne Ewing Crowe, 85, of Indianapolis passed away on October 30, 2016,at Robin Run Village, an assisted living care center.

Betty Jeanne,as she was called by many of her friends, was born March 24, 1931 inIndianapolis Indiana to Robert Ewing and Pearl Mitchell Ewing. She attendedJohn Hope Elementary School # 26 and was a very proud member of the CrispusAttucks High School Graduating Class of 1948. Described in the Attucks yearbookas “pleasant and cheerful,” Betty also was a member of the National HonorSociety. After graduation from Ball State Teachers College (now Ball StateUniversity) in Muncie, Indiana, she returned to Indianapolis where she beganworking at the Indiana State Board of Health.

Betty hadbeen raised in the church and her strong Christian faith sustained herthroughout her life. She had strong affiliations with two places of worship inIndianapolis; Witherspoon Presbyterian Church and Allen Chapel AfricanMethodist Episcopal Church.

On the 21^stday of November 1951, Betty married Ray Province Crowe. Through their union of39 years, they raised three children; Larry Ray, Linda Jeanne and Lloyd Edward.Betty also developed a close relationship with her step-daughter Katherine AnnWilliams Crowe. Not only was Betty a devoted mother to her own children inthose early years, she often served as a mother figure to many of the playerson “Coach Crowe’s” famous Crispus Attucks Tigers basketball team.

During thetime Betty was married to Ray, basketball was a central feature of their lifetogether. But Betty developed her own career and interests. Being an educatorbecame her passion. After working for a few years at the VeteransAdministration and the Social Security Department, she enrolled at ButlerUniversity, where she first received a Bachelor of Science in Education, thenlater a Master’s Degree in Counseling and Guidance. Betty’s several years inthe classroom prepared her for the counseling and leadership roles she filledduring the last 20 years of her career in the Indianapolis Public School System.She retired in June of 1995 after 32 years.

Bettytouched many lives during her time as an educator, often working with at riskstudents and adults whose lives she changed. She could be firm and fierce whenneeded. It was a time when teachers knew their role and students had a place.And Betty Jeanne didn’t have any problem keeping them in it. But she was alsoknown to be kind, compassionate and deeply concerned about the growth of herstudents and their ability to be successful productive citizens. She was thetype of teacher who would mentor before school, after school and whenevernecessary. She was even known to bring a troubled student home for the weekend.She truly lived up to and handed down the legacy of the educators whose exampleshe observed at Crispus Attucks.

Betty Jeannewas very active in community affairs. She gave of her time and talent toseveral organizations in the Indianapolis community. She was involved with Jack& Jill and the Links. She served for nine years on the Board of Directors forPlanned Parenthood of Central Indiana including two terms as board President. Shespent several years on the Board of Directors of the 500 Festival Association. Bettyspent considerable time with the YMCA of Greater Indianapolis as a member ofthe Branch Board of Managers of the Fall Creek YMCA.

In 1983Betty was chosen by the National Council of Negro Women as one of the “100 OutstandingNegro Women in the State of Indiana.” In 1989 she received the YWCA “Salute toWomen” award. Betty also was the first woman to serve on the Indiana StateTextbook Commission, having been appointed to a first term by Gov. EdgarWhitcomb and to a second term by Govern Otis Bowen. In October of 2011, Lt. BeckySkillman presented Betty with the Golden Hoosier award honoring “an individualwhose personal live exemplifies outstanding service to the community and theState of Indiana.”

In 1991Betty met a wonderful man, Charles F. Semmes, who was originally from Kokomo,Indiana. She felt they were truly “soul mates.” She had the most glorious,happy six years with him before he passed away in March of 1997. They traveledaround the world and had the happiest times together. He liked to dance almostas much as she did. They attended plays, social events and wined and dinedaround Indianapolis. He became a member of Witherspoon Presbyterian Church aswell. They were both very active members.

Bettyspent her later years with her Attucks classmates and the new friends she madeat Robin Run Village. She became quite a fixture around the place. And thefolks at Robin Run took good care of her. She could be seen moving around thehalls, chatting with anyone she encountered, still exhibiting the “pleasant andcheerful” personality that had been a signature of her teenage years. Whenneighbors would see her with her cat, Sasha, seated in her little buggy, theywould say, “Here comes the ole’ Crowe and the cat.” Eleanor Betty Jeanne EwingCrowe lived a good life!

In theClass of 48’s fiftieth reunion yearbook, Betty wrote, “All in all, life hasbeen good to me. I feel I have been blessed greatly in many ways. I am trulyhappy that I graduated from Crispus Attucks High School. The longer I stayed ineducation, the happier and more appreciative I became of the education Ireceived at dear old CAHS. I am grateful for the many classmates I have and theassociation that many of us have at our monthly meeting. I am thankful for mywonderful children and grandchildren and the many friends I have. I shallcontinue to try and be of help to my fellow man in any way I can and do untoothers as I would have them do unto me.

Betty JeanneCrowe – President, CAHS Class of 48’s fifty Year Reunion