Elizabeth (Betty) Miller Rawlins died peacefully on Feb. 3 at her home in Oak Bluffs with her children Paul and Pattie by her side. She was 96.

Betty was born on Nov. 25, 1927 to Archibald and  Nellie Miller. She was the second youngest of five children, and she survived them all.

She attended the Cambridge public schools and graduated from Cambridge High and Latin School in 1944. She attended Salem State Teachers College, where, in 1950, she earned her bachelor of science degree in education. She then became an elementary school teacher, teaching in public and private schools around Massachusetts, in both urban and suburban communities. From 1953 to 1954, she taught at Narimasu Elementary School in Tokyo, Japan.

Betty loved to share the story of how the love of her life, Keith Rawlins, was waiting to marry her upon her return. Keith and Betty were married on August 27, 1954 and remained married for 50 years, until Keith’s death on June 14, 2013. 

After earning her master’s degree in urban education from Simmons College in 1967, Betty left elementary school teaching and began working at Simmons. During her long career there, she made a significant impact in quite a few capacities. She often addressed racially-sensitive issues and had a special place in her heart for mentoring students of color who were the minority at Simmons. Clearly her work was special as many of them still regularly called and visited with their beloved “Dean Rawlins” after all these years.

She made quite the name for herself in education, which she never boasted about. She was a very private person — but Keith never let a major accomplishment pass by without a recognition celebration.

For many years, she was a board member for Havenside Housing Corporation in Vineyard Haven. She was elated to be part of the Cambridge Black Trailblazers, the HistoryMakers digital archive and she can be seen on video in Washington D.C. at the National Museum of African American History and Culture. 

Betty had great love for her family and friends. She is survived by her son, Paul H. Rawlins and his wife Teresa, her daughter Pattie E. Rawlins, two grandchildren, Sharisse Scott-Rawlins and Keith Scott-Rawlins, and a host of other relatives and friends. 

Memorial donations may be made to Simmons University, 300 Fenway, Boston, MA 02115 towards the Elizabeth B. Rawlins ‘67GS Endowed Scholarships for minority students. Donations may also be made to Hospice and Palliative Care of Martha’s Vineyard, P.O. Box 1748, Vineyard Haven, MA 02568 and to Salem State University towards the Elizabeth B. Rawlins Oratory Award. 

Her wake will take place at 12 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 25 at Simmons University, with a funeral to follow at 1 p.m. She will be interred at Mt. Auburn Cemetery in Cambridge on Monday, Feb. 26. Family and close friends are invited to join. Spears Funeral Home of Cambridge is in charge of arrangements.  

Her family wishes to thank the community for its outpouring of love, support and prayers. They also want to extend their greatest gratitude to RN Jessica Walsh and the staff at Hospice and Palliative Care of Martha’s Vineyard.