WITHERS, Betty Gantt Betty Gantt Withers passed away peacefully in the early morning of November 4, 2018. She was 83 years old. Born and raised in a poor rural family in Depression-era Louisiana, Betty grew up to graduate summa cum laude from The University of Texas at El Paso in 1968, and thereafter became the first female student in the SMU Economics Department graduate program, earning a Masters of Arts in 1970 and becoming a Ph.D. candidate in 1973. After a brief stint as a university professor, Betty commenced a long and successful career with the Office of Civil Rights, reflecting a lifetime commitment to principles of inclusiveness and equal opportunity in both her professional and personal lives. She worked also with the Federal Executive Board and the Wilkinson Center. After retirement from Federal Service, she continued working as a program evaluator for the Head Start program. Betty was married twice, to William Banks Withers Jr. 1957-1972 and then to Clayton H. "Rosy" Morrow, 1974-2006. She is preceded in death by parents Henry Gantt and Rose Meade Gantt, sisters Roslyn Clark and Ellen Tinsley, half-sister Phoneil Hedrick, and husband Clayton "Rosy" Morrow. She is survived by brothers Henry "Pete" Gantt Jr. and Ragan Gantt, brothers-in-law Charles "Joe" Clark and Clyde "Lefty" Morrow, sister-in-law Elizabeth Gantt, a son Wm. Douglas Withers, daughter Cheryl Oliver, son-in-law Bobby Oliver, daughter-in-law Chie Matsuzawa, and four grandchildren Julian Withers, Lindsey Oliver, Franklin Withers, and Robert Adam Oliver. Those who knew Betty personally or professionally not only appreciated her immense generosity and incisive intellect, but also respected and occasionally came to rue her steely resolve. The world is poorer for her absence. Services and a gathering for family and friends will be held at 11:30am Monday 12 November at the 1890's Chapel in Farmers Branch Historical Park, 2540 Farmers Branch Ln, Farmers Branch, TX 75234. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be sent to the .