Elizabeth Ann Millsaps Van Iersel

Elizabeth Millsaps Van Iersel, aged 71, passed from this life on December 9, 2019 from complications of kidney disease and cancer. Betty was born in Pasadena, CA, to Paul R. Millsaps, Jr. of Chattanooga, TN, and Katherine Ann Griffin of Cheyenne, WY. 

She was preceded in death by her husband Anton Van Iersel and her father and mother.

Survivors include her cousins Connie (Steve) Bowman of Chattanooga, Stephen (Sally) Abercrombie of Ringgold, GA., Ariel Colburn of Nashville, TN, Celia Colburn of Lookout Mountain and Rosemary Milburn (Jim) of Lookout Mountain, TN.

In her younger years, Betty spent many summers in St. Elmo visiting with her father’s cousins and family.  Betty earned a B. A. from the University of Wyoming and an M.A from University of Redlands in management and human resource management. Betty worked as a communications specialist at Georgetown University, George Washington University, University of Richmond and Salem State University in Salem, MA and Arizona State University. 

Betty was devoted to the many friends she made across the country and her church family at St. John’s Episcopal Church in Lafayette Square, Washington, DC. As part of her strong interest in World War I and early 20^th century history Betty also worked as a docent for the Woodrow Wilson House in Washington, DC. She was active in AAUW and Kappa Delta activities. Betty recently moved to Chattanooga to teach at UTC and be closer to her family. Her rapid decline in health came as a shock to her, her family and many friends.  

A memorial service will be held at Grace Episcopal Church in Chattanooga, at a later date.

Serenity of Cleveland Funeral Home and Cremation Services is in charge of the arrangements.