Elizabeth Powell

Betsy was known among friends for her orchids and extensive travels. Her over-seas travels began with a student year abroad to Hamburg, Germany, in 1936-37, during which she made many life-long friends. During and immediately after WWII, her work for the American Red Cross included trips to Europe as part of Operation War Bride.

Continuing a family tradition, Betsy returned to Athens after the war and began working at the University of Georgia. As Director of Home Study at the University of Georgia she traveled throughout the United States for professional development and individual enrichment. She was a member of several professional associations serving on various boards and committees. She was a member of the Athens Regional Library Board, and director of the University Night School. Betsy is often remembered as the person who organized buses to take Athens enthusiasts to the Metropolitan Opera during the years it came annually to Atlanta. She was a regular attendee of concerts at the University delighting in the “new” music facilities.

Following her retirement, she made an around-the-world trip which started in Western Europe, continued across Russia and Siberia, down through China, and into India and Nepal, and, later, a trip to Soviet Georgia and other parts of the southern Soviet Union. Betsy also squired her niece and a group of friends for a grand tour of Europe passing on her love of travel to a new generation.

An avid gardener, she loved growing orchids and was an active volunteer for many years at the State Botanical Garden of Georgia. She was a founding member of the Georgia Chapter of Recording for the Blind and a life-long member of First Presbyterian Church.

A native of Lowndes County, GA, Ms. Powell was the daughter of the late Richard H. Powell and Frieda Berens Powell. She was pre-deceased by three brothers and two sisters-in-law, Alfred E. Powell, Richard B. (Bill) and Lucy L. Powell, and David P. and Anna L. Powell.

Survivors include nieces, Anna Elizabeth Powell, Julia Hester Powell, Helen Powell Feussner, Frances Powell Bigelow, and Margaret Frieda Powell; niece-in-law, Zoe Moore Powell, and a number of great nieces, nephews and cousins.

Funeral services will be held 2PM Wednesday, April 10th at First Presbyterian Church. Interment will follow at Oconee Hill Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to The American Red Cross, 490 Pulaski St, Athens, GA 30601 or to the “UGA Foundation” and directed to the “Powell Family Fund”, 394 S. Milledge Ave, Athens, GA 30602-5582. This Fund benefits students at UGA’s Hugh Hodgson School of Music.

Online condolences may be offered at www.bernsteinfuneralhome.com

Bernstein Funeral Home and Cremation Service is in charge of arrangements.