Bettie Ann Wright-Blakely departed this life on June 13, 2026, at the age of 83.

She leaves to cherish her memory two children, Nichole Blakely and Brian Blakely; one grandson, Kingston Blakely, all of Salisbury, Maryland; three nieces; and a host of other relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Dr. Raymond L. Blakely, who passed away on December 12, 2017.

Throughout her life, Bettie was deeply committed to improving quality-of-life issues related to civil rights, health, and education, particularly within the Black community. While an undergraduate student at Florida A&M University (FAMU) in Tallahassee, Florida, she participated in civil disobedience demonstrations and helped organize a Congress of Racial Equality (CORE) chapter in her hometown of Dunnellon, Florida.

Following her graduation from FAMU in 1964, Bettie moved to New York City to pursue a career in dietetics, completing professional training at Bellevue Hospital and Metropolitan Hospital. In 1969, she relocated to Washington, D.C., to continue advanced training at Freedmen’s Hospital. She later earned her master’s degree from Howard University and accepted a teaching position at the University of New Hampshire in Durham, New Hampshire.

Bettie subsequently returned to Washington, D.C., where she taught at Federal City College, now known as the University of the District of Columbia, while pursuing doctoral studies in community nutrition. During this period, she met Raymond Blakely, whom she married in 1979. The couple later made their home in Salisbury, Maryland.

After relocating to the Eastern Shore, Bettie served as a Registered Dietitian at Deer’s Head Hospital Center. A few years later, she joined the faculty of the Department of Human Ecology at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES), where she taught and directed the undergraduate Dietetics Program until her retirement in 2004. In 1989, she was awarded the Doctor of Philosophy degree from Howard University.

Following her retirement from teaching, Bettie helped organize and conduct the UMES Mini Med School, a health education program serving residents of Maryland’s Lower Eastern Shore.

She was an active member of numerous professional and civic organizations, including the American Dietetic Association, the Maryland Dietetic Association, the Eastern Shore Area Health Education Center, and the Princess Anne Chapter of The Links, Incorporated. She served as Chapter President of The Links from 2008 to 2010. The mission of The Links, Incorporated and its philanthropic arm, The Links Foundation, Incorporated, closely reflected Bettie’s lifelong commitment to addressing social and civic issues affecting communities of color.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in Bettie’s memory may be made to:

The Links Foundation, Incorporated1200 Massachusetts Avenue NWWashington, DC 20005

A Memorial Service celebrating Bettie’s life will be held on Friday, June 26, 2026, at 12:00 Noon at Wicomico Memorial Park, Salisbury, Maryland.