Tributes paid to tragic Betty one year on (From Kidderminster Shuttle)

Tributes paid to tragic Betty one year on

7:40am Tuesday 8th January 2013 in Local By William Tomaney

HEARTFELT tributes have been left to “the best teacher there ever was”, a year after tragic Betty Yates was found murdered in her Bewdley home.

Retired school teacher Mrs Yates, 77, was discovered dead at her Dowles Road cottage on January 4, 2012, sending shockwaves around the tight-knit Bewdley community and Wyre Forest. She had been killed two days before.

Last week, heartfelt messages were left by followers on facebook page “RIP Betty Yates, the best teacher there was”, which was set up in her memory by former St John’s Middle School pupil Verity Worthington and has 1,023 likes.

“A year on, you are still greatly missed Betty,” said one message. “You lit up so many lives and you are our brightest star. Thinking of all your friends and family on this difficult day.”

Kerry Smith wrote: “Gone but never forgotten always be in our hearts Betty x x x x” and Louise Bourne added “R.I.P. Betty :) xxx”.

Another tribute, from Karen Harrison, said: “In our thoughts often. RIP Mrs Yates, best teacher ever” and Anne Rose wrote: “Amen, bless you Betty”.

Several of the group’s followers had written that Mrs Yates would “never be forgotten”.

Mrs Yates’ body was found lying in her hallway with her head resting on a cushion. She had been beaten with a walking stick and stabbed four times in the head.

In November, homeless drifter Stephen Farrow, 48, was given two whole-life sentences after being convicted at Bristol Crown Court of Mrs Yates’ murder as well as that of Rev John Suddards in Thornbury, south Gloucestershire.