Leavengood, Betty 1939-

PERSONAL:

Born January 9, 1939, in Parkersburg, WV; daughter of Arden (a surveyor) and Gladys Marshall; married Douglas Graham (divorced, 1979); married John Leavengood (a hospital administrator), May 26, 1980 (deceased); children: (first marriage) Cheryl, Rodney, Christine. Ethnicity: "Anglo." Education: Marshall College (now University), B.A.; Ohio University, M.A. Politics: Republican. Hobbies and other interests: History, hiking.

ADDRESSES:

Home and office—Parkersburg, WV. E-mail—hikerbetty123@aol.com.

CAREER:

Teacher of American history and English at a junior high school in Parkersburg, WV, 1970-80; administrative assistant at a college of medicine in Tucson, AZ, 1980-90; tour guide in Tucson, 1990-97; freelance writer, 1997—.

MEMBER:

Western Writers of America, Grand Canyon Pioneers, Friends of Kentucky Camp, Friends of Blennerhassett Island (vice president).

WRITINGS:

Tucson Hiking Guide, Pruett Publishing (Boulder, CO), 1991, 3rd edition, 2004.

(With Mike Liebert) Hiker's Guide to the Santa Rita Mountains, Pruett Publishing (Boulder, CO), 1994.

Grand Canyon Women: Lives Shaped by Landscape, Pruett Publishing (Boulder, CO), 1999, 2nd edition, Grand Canyon Association (Grand Canyon, AZ), 2004.

Wood County, West Virginia, Arcadia Publishing (Charleston, SC), 2002.

Also author of the pamphlet "Faraway Ranch: Chiricahua National Monument," Southwest Parks and Monuments Association (Tucson, AZ), 1995.

SIDELIGHTS:

Betty Leavengood once told CA: "I enjoy learning about the ‘old west’ and telling other people the stories. I also enjoy telling people about the great outdoor opportunities around the United States. My primary influence has been my love of the outdoors and the people who work and play outdoors. I am especially interested in the Grand Canyon."

She later added: "Although I am temporarily living in West Virginia, my main writing interests are still in the West."