Betty June Smith Powell 1923 - 2004

SMITH, POWELL, SIMPSON

Posted By: Connie Swearingen- Volunteer (email)
Date: 5/31/2018 at 07:04:14

Onawa Democrat
17 November 2004

Betty June Smith Powell

Born to Willard and Pearl Smith June 28, 1923, near Onawa, Iowa, only daughter of five Brother Bill 5 years older, Jack, Wayne and Richard following. Richard being 12 years younger she felt she had her own live doll baby to play with.

Growing up in the depression on a farm she said they always had enough to eat and on Sundays other family members would find their way to the farm for dinner.

Education was important to her parents; in fact, the schoolhouse was on a corner of farm field.

To attend high school, she had to board in town during the week. She was so homesick during that time. I asked her why she didn't drive in like her older brother had; she said, "it was not even considered as she was a girl". Betty learned to drive after she was 39 years old.

After high school she attended secretarial school in Sioux City, worked a short time there then came to Los Angeles, as jobs were scarce during the war years. Shared an apartment and sleeping 3 girls in one bed. Discovering "French dip" sandwiches at Felipe's, loving them ever since.

Married Blythe Simpson and soon daughter Diana came along with another daughter; Linda, 3 years later Living in the San Fernando Valley and showing off the good weather by taking the Iowa folks to the beach in January. Reaching 39 years old, Betty brushed up her typing skills, learned to drive and went to work at the Dept of Motor Vehicles Divorced and supporting a high school age daughter on her own, money was very tight, but as she had stretched the dollar all her life made the best of it. After Linda graduated, Betty married Basil Powell and moved to San Jose. She enjoyed taking trips on the back of a motorcycle, square dancing and helping to build a cabin Her love of flowers and "digging in the dirt" were pleasant pastimes.

After having a couple of jobs that were not very enjoyable she became the receptionist for a square-dancing acquaintance Dr. Lawrence. She had found her dream job, the working conditions were great, and the nurse, Jerry Wiebe, knew how to find fun in every situation When Dr. Lawrence decided to retire she did too.

Sadly, her daughter Diana died in 1991, she always carried the heartache of losing a child. Betty leaves behind daughter Linda, her husband Bill, their daughters Darla, Tami, Elda, grandson-in-law Lennie, Diana's daughters Jennifer and Jessica and great grandson Jacob, her 4 brothers and assorted cousins, nieces and nephews, also numerous friends that she always gave thanks to God for.

In March when Betty had to move to So. Ca. to her daughter's her friend La Wanda wrote to her; I'll miss you - but I'll see you again And, I will remember: Your sweet ways Your wisdom Your encouragement Your beautiful hair Your color-blue The Granny get-togethers Your Granny birthday choice of barbecued hamburgers Our correcting me twice in one day at the hospital Our trip to Branson Most recently our trip to Grass Valley And now we'll have someplace new to go visit you I will miss Thanks for being my friend.

Thank you, Lord for Betty, we miss her but looking forward to seeing her again one day. There for if any ma n is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come.

In 1977 Betty attended divorce recovery classes at Los Gatos Christian Church, she found Jesus' unconditional love and her life was new in all ways. She was determined to have a positive outlook and to see the beauty of people and the wonderful world of nature at all times. She did a good job of it. When hard times came she prayed all the more, seeking God's guidance and praising Him for all the blessings He had showered on her.

One of the greatest blessings that she received was the friendship of a great group of ladies. Calling themselves the "Galloping Grannies" their love and caring for each other has created a special group of ladies that are living examples to all of us of Christian fellowship.

Single ladies with family nearby or far away they make sure that everyone has "plans" for the holidays or were included somewhere. During the early years, road trips for the day or weekend was not unusual, big trips to Canada, Europe and east coast, a Mississippi River Cruise this year for whoever were interested.

(One Saturday a number of years ago a car full drove down to San Louis Obispo for lunch and tour through the mission Meeting Betty's daughter and granddaughter Elda at the Madonna Inn for the lunch. After looking the menu over Linda thought they were going to get up and leave. It was a bit pricey for them. But after some discussion and sharing of sandwiches all had a great time.)

Celebrating each other's birthday, fixing the special request of the Birthday gal. (Betty always wanted a bar-be-que hamburger) playing of games are still important events for them.

Betty's life was truly blessed by many friends; she had a talent of being interested in people and remembering names and details of their lives. Even during her last days, she was interested in the hospice team members lives, where they were from, thanking and praising them for their service.