Bettye Jo Hinrichs
01/13/1933 - 09/27/2021
Bettye Jo Powell, 88, known to all as Betsy, was born in New Albany, Mississippi, on January 13, 1933, and passed away in Sarasota, Florida, on September 27, 2021. Betsy was born in New Albany, Mississippi, on January 13, 1933, to Virginia (Ashley) and Hansel Powell. She spent her young life there until going to Millsaps College in Jackson, Mississippi. Her first marriage produced three sons: Richard (Rick), b. 1956; Robert, b. 1959 d. 1982; and Reed, b. 1962. Betsy lived in several places in her life, including Mississippi; North Carolina; Virginia; and Des Moines. She worked in various capacities throughout her life. She taught second grade and special education. In Des Moines she was the first patient advocate at Iowa Lutheran Hospital. For several years she traveled the US leading seminars called Adventures in Attitudes, something for which her positive energy was particularly suited. Her first marriage ended in 1978, after which she moved to Minnesota. Several years later she and Harvey Hinrichs met and were married in 1988. After building a spacious house in Minnesota they moved to Sarasota, Florida, in 1991, where they lived most of the rest of their lives (and built yet another house). Betsy and Harvey traveled the world, especially on many cruises to the Caribbean, Europe, Alaska, and Asia. Betsy was very involved in the Sarasota Opera Guild, and became an active social hostess, one of her stellar talents. For many years Betsy and Harvey were members of the Unity Church. She will be greatly missed by all who knew her ready smile, and warm and good-humored nature. She is survived by her sons Rick and Reed Walters; stepson Dustin and step daughter-in-law Chris Hinrichs; grandsons Jonathan and Joe Hinrichs; sister Peg and brother-in-law Ed Dupree; brother Billy and sister-in-law Kaye Powell; and nieces and nephews.