Carol Beale Potts

Carol Potts, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and friend died peacefully April 14, 2023. Carol Martha (Beale) Potts was born June 9, 1943, in Alexandria, VA to Ulysses Grant Beale and Adeline Bertha (Horton) Beale. She graduated from Groveton High School in 1961 and attended secretarial school, eventually working in Patent and Trademark Services for her entire career. After she retired, she was active as a volunteer at Mount Vernon. While she enjoyed many different positions there, she was frequently assigned to assist Martha Washington, and was happiest in this role. She met first husband Thomas Potts while he was serving in AFTAC, an elite Air Force unit based in Alexandria, Virginia. They married in 1966. They enjoyed going to stock car races, baseball games, bowling, and playing bridge and pinochle. Following their divorce in 1995, she married Robert Honold to whom she was married until her death. They enjoyed volunteering and spending time at their condo in Myrtle Beach. She was an active church member her whole life, first as a child at Immanuel Lutheran, Alexandria (LCMS); Bethany Lutheran Church (LCMS) in Alexandria, and finally St. John’s Lutheran (LCMS) in Alexandria. She was a beloved Sunday School teacher, Fellowship coordinator, and choir member, and was an avid supporter of the music programs in her congregations. She loved puzzles, games, game shows and sports, and was an excellent (and competitive) game-player and bowler. She loved cooking and baking (especially for other people), though there was always the small piece that disappeared from a cake or brownies; one had to make sure they tasted ok! She loved Broadway musicals, frequently going to shows in the Washington area. She was a diehard fan of Frank Sinatra, Judy Garland and Bobby Darin, and would listen to music from the 1950s and ‘60s as a way to relax. She especially loved spending time with her grandchildren, whether it was poker or Hearts (cut it thin to win!), supporting their musical and sports endeavors, or watching musicals with granddaughter Samantha who lived close by and could visit often. She is survived by her husband of 25 years, Robert Honold; daughter Julie (David) Grindle and grandsons William, 24, and Thomas, 22; daughter Sharon (Joseph) Apricena and granddaughter Samantha, 12; brother Don (Marnie) Beale and niece Alison Beale; and step-children Paul (Nancy) Honold and children Erin and Matt Honold; Pam (Steve) Grimes, and children Andrew and Lindsay Grimes; and Joan (John) Paciga, and children John and Jill Paciga. The funeral service will be held Monday, April 24 at 10am at St. John’s Lutheran Church, 5952 Franconia Rd, Alexandria, VA. There will be a reception following at the church, and a committal at Mount Comfort cemetery at 1:30pm that day. No flowers, please. Donations in Carol’s memory may be made to: The Mount Vernon Ladies’ Association; St. John’s Lutheran Church; or the charity of your choice.