Betty Jean Powers' Obituary
Betty Jean (Zeigler) Powers was born on June 2, 1932 to Estrel Fred and Opal Melissa (Haney) Zeigler in Houston, Missouri. She was the first of two children with her brother, William “Bill” Zeigler born less than two years later. Her father died working on the railroad when she was two which forced her mother to move back in with her parents, William Huston and Mary Ellen (Stricklin) Haney. These loving grandparents helped to raise Betty and Bill as their own children on the family farm. This allowed them to be close to their uncles Homer and Howard and their aunt, Nellie Mae. They attended church at Oak Hill near Houston growing up and Betty received piano lessons because her mother was interested in her playing at church. Betty learned to play in every key so that they could sing the favorite hymns more easily. She took over as the church pianist at age twelve, later giving music lessons in piano as an adult. This love of music realized itself in her higher education as she eventually earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Music from North Central Bible College in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Betty continued to play the piano through adulthood and into her retirement for various Sunday school classes at Boston Avenue United Methodist Church in Tulsa, Oklahoma, where she was a member for over forty years. Betty met Eldon N. Powers in college in Springfield, Missouri where they began a courtship that resulted in their marriage on September 4, 1954. Betty helped Eldon found a new church in Hays, Kansas where she served as the pianist for worship. She later served as an Administrator in the family business, Powerstech which created contour mapping software for the oil and gas industry. Betty knew all of the customers by name and they liked doing business with her, because she was easy-going and patient when they needed someone to help them solve a problem. They were happily married for over 63 years and enjoyed traveling together all over North America visiting almost every state in the union. They sang together in the choir at Boston Avenue for almost forty years and enjoyed sharing in this ministry together. Betty passed away on Tuesday, May 29, 2018 at Bradford Village in Edmond, Oklahoma. She was preceded in death by her parents and grandparents, her brother, and aunt and uncles. She is survived by three children, Becky & Rick Henderson of Federal Way, Washington, Bob Powers of Tulsa, and Sam & Sheryl Powers of Edmond; five grandchildren, Rachelle & Jason Mobley, Paul & Stacie Henderson, Aaron Henderson, Kyla Powers and David Powers; and five great-grandchildren. A memorial service will be held on Sunday, June 3, 2018 at First United Methodist Church of Edmond at 2:00 pm in the sanctuary. Rather than flowers, the family asks that donations would be put toward a music scholarship fund for students at First United Methodist Church of Edmond, PO Box 390, Edmond, OK 73083.
What’s your fondest memory of Betty?
What’s a lesson you learned from Betty?
Share a story where Betty's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Betty you’ll never forget.
How did Betty make you smile?