The Legend of Betty The Ghost at Odessa High School

It's officially spooky season. Growing up in Odessa the story of Betty the Ghost always seems to make its rounds every year around this time. As a graduate of Odessa High School, the kids would always tell the story of Betty haunting the auditorium. Through the years you hear different versions of how she passed. Though those stories sound nice around the campfire most are not Betty's true story.

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WHO WAS BETTY

Betty Jean Williams was a senior at Odessa High School in 1961. She was labeled as coming from the "wrong side of the tracks". People knew Betty as wanting to be a big-time Hollywood actress and loved theater in school. She was also considered a part of the unpopular crowd in school.

HOW BETTY WAS KILLED

Betty had dated a football player named Mack Herring the summer before her senior year. Their relationship did not last long and Betty did not take the break up well. After their break up she slowly started to spiral. Weeks before her death she asked several of her friends if they would help end her life. Betty's friends did not take her seriously, but there was one person who did, it was Mack Herring. According to Mack, she had begged him to end her life and he did what she asked. Mack Herring drove out to a stock tank with Betty and shot her in March of 1961.

WHAT HAPPENED TO MACK HERRING

Mack had his trail in Beaumont. He was acquitted of all charges and moved back to Odessa. He went to college and raised a family. Mack lived in Odessa until he passed in 2019 at the age of 75.

THE LEGEND OF GHOST BETTY

Even though Betty was not killed at OHS Everybody believes that she still roams the auditorium until this day. Many people think she is still there because her dream was to become a Hollywood actress and it was one of her favorite places. When people see a face in the window, lights flickering, objects mysteriously moving, or hear a girl's voice down a long dark hallway, they say it is Betty.

Whatever the true story of Betty's death is, I hope that the legend of Betty carries on.