Betty L South
June 25, 1932 – December 21, 2025

Betty Lou South was born in Malad, Idaho, on June 25, 1932. She was the first of four children of Enoch Russell and Myrtle Ellen Anderson South. Along with her three brothers, she worked actively in their family business. After graduating from high school she studied journalism at the University of Utah.

A grandfather’s political debates with a neighbor of opposing views, plus her selection during high school as a delegate to Idaho’s Girls State, sparked a strong interest in politics. This interest was further enhanced by part-time work on Utah’s Capitol Hill for the Department of Public Instruction and a special school study commission established by the State Legislature, while she attended college.

After receiving a Bachelor of Science Degree in Journalism, Betty spent 14 months as women’s editor and general reporter on the Brighton Blade, just outside of Denver, Colorado.

She then went to Washington, D.C., to work on the staff of Utah Congressman Henry Aldous Dixon. When he retired in 1960, her next stint was as press secretary to Idaho Congressman Ralph R. Harding until his defeat in 1964.

While considering the possibility of European travel, Betty was asked to interview for the job as general assistant and press secretary for Mrs. Hubert H. Humphrey, whose husband had been elected Vice President with President Lyndon B. Johnson. The challenge of that new opportunity kept her in the nation’s capital. She served four years in that role during, which time she traveled extensively both nationally and internationally with the Humphreys, especially during his campaign for the presidency in 1968.

Following his defeat, Betty joined Hubert H. Humphrey’s Minnesota campaign for the Senate and was employed as his press secretary, when he returned to Washington. Except for a 6-month period when she left the Senate to take charge of Mrs. Humphrey’s national campaign travel efforts on her husband’s behalf when he ran for President in 1972. She remained with Senator Humphrey in the Senate until his death in January 1978. At that time Mrs. Humphrey was appointed by Minnesota’s governor to serve the remainder of her husband’s term. Betty worked as Mrs. Humphrey’s press secretary during that one-year term.

Following the Capitol years, Betty returned West to visits with her brothers and their families. After visiting Betty returned again to Washington, D.C, to edit two national magazines directed at English-speaking Hispanics.

History written by Betty South in Anderson/Josephson Family History 1999

And now for the rest of Betty’s life story:

Betty’s love of Washington, D.C. for its rich history; politics (past, present, future); the museums; monuments; parks; libraries; and friends, kept Betty returning to her condo on the beautiful Potomac River in between traveling West for varying periods of time. Her final move West came in 2014 to Salt Lake City, Utah, where she lived until she passed away on December 21, 2025.

Her love of family and history led her to research, gather, write, and publish two family history books: The South/Martin Family History in 1997 (father); followed by

The Anderson/Josephson Family History in 1999 (mother).

She had spent much time over decades of her life on researching both sides of the family and enjoyed making many family connections during her travels.

Betty South will be remembered as a strong and distinctive presence in the lives of those who knew her. She was direct, independent, and steadfast in her ways, with a clear sense of who she was and what she believed. Betty valued family and she approached life with resilience and determination. Her life and legacy will be remembered by those who loved, lived and laughed it with her.

Funeral services for Betty South will be January 9, 2026, at Horsley Funeral Home, 132 West 300 North in Malad, Idaho. Family and friends will gather to remember and tell stories from 11:00-12:00 with funeral directly following. Burial with be in the Malad City Cemetery.