Betty G. Powell

Mrs. Betty Greer Powell, 94, of Northampton, MA passed away on May 21, 2024. She was born on August 25, 1929 in Pine Bluff, AK, the daughter of the late Rudolph Greer and Estelle “Honey” (Vining) Greer.

Betty grew up in Albany, GA, and graduated from Albany H.S. (1947), and Georgia College for Women, Milledgeville (1951). She pursued a career as a teacher, first teaching Home Economics in Leesburg, GA, then in Orlando, FL, and later in Severna Park and Arnold, MD. She was a long-time member of Woods Memorial Church in Severna Park, MD, and more recently was a member of the Williamsburg Presbyterian Church in Williamsburg, VA.

She met her future husband, Bob Powell, on a blind date at Turner Air Force Base in Albany, GA. They wed in 1954 and moved to Boston, MA for two years before heading to Middle River, MD where Bob started a career in business. They began a family while based in Orlando, FL, and moved to Severna Park, MD / Arnold, MD in 1966 where they raised their children.

Betty was an accomplished cook and homemaker, serving delicious feasts at family gatherings and celebrations. She enjoyed outdoor activities with family and friends, and loved sailing on the Chesapeake Bay. An avid seamstress, she made many of her own clothes and took up quilting later in life. She and Bob sponsored midshipmen at the U.S. Naval Academy, who would spend weekends off at the Powell home, enjoying Betty’s southern cooking, and swimming and boating with the family. She played piano and loved singing hymns and popular tunes, especially with friends and family in music sessions at Linda Manor Assisted Living in Northampton.

Betty was preceded in death by her husband of 56 years Robert “Bob” W. Powell, Jr., her parents Rudolph Greer and Estelle “Honey” (Vining) Greer, brothers Ben Greer, and Charles W. Greer, and sister Rachel Norras; brother-in-law Colonel Lee R. Powell, and sisters-in-law Jean Greer, Margaret Ivy Greer, and Eleanor Hodap Heim; nephews David Greer, Gregory Powell, Clyde Hoover, and great nephew Grant Powell. She is survived by her children Elizabeth “Betsy” G. Powell (Paula Pannoni) of Northampton, MA, Stephen R. Powell (Susie) of Williamsburg, VA, and Margaret “Meg” V. Powell of Cambridge, MA, and granddaughter Erika Powell; sisters-in-law Joy Powell, and Jane Powell, cousin Dolores Vining Knox and many Vining cousins; nieces and nephews Susan Greer, John Greer, Amy Greer McGill, Gay Hill, Joy Shiver-Jones, Todd Norras, Beth Norras, Cathie Greer, Lance and Emily Powell, Donna Powell, MIchele Knox, Pam Knox Burckel, and numerous great nieces and nephews.

The family would like to thank Linda Manor Assisted Living, and especially the Life Enrichment Program staff, for their loving care and kindness to our mom and family. We would also like to thank Pioneer Valley Hospice for their caring and kind support in Mom’s final days.

A memorial service and reception will be held at 11 AM on Saturday, July 13th, at Bucktrout Funeral Home, 4124 Ironbound Rd, Williamsburg, VA. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Pioneer Valley Hospice, 329 Conway St, Greenfield, MA 01301.