My Great Aunt Betty

This week the prompt for the #52ancestors project is "nurture". Of course, we all think of our mothers and grandmothers, or a nurse in the family but nothing I came up with felt quite right. Then I thought of my great Aunt Betty. She was one of those people that makes everyone feel at ease. As a kid, I never felt like I was bothering her. As wonderful as my mom and grandma were, I know I sometimes got on their last nerve! But not Aunt Betty. She just loved all the children.

Betty Louise Kinser was born on September 14, 1929, to Doc Lonzo Kinser and Sadie Marcella (Myers) Kinser in Kansas City, Missouri. She was their only child and was doted on by her mother.

Betty and John Powell

On October 11, 1947, just after turning 18, Betty married Omern "John" Powell in Kansas City. They were very much in love and longed to start a family. Sadly, they were unable to have children. Betty traveled with John to his military posts while he was in the Navy, and waited as patiently as she could while he served at sea during the Korean War. When his service ended, they made their home in Independence, Missouri.

Betty and John are the couple on the left with their arms wrapped around one another.
Also in the picture are many of John's siblings and their children.

John was one of eight children, so there were many nieces and nephews for Aunt Betty to love on back in Missouri. She really, truly, loved them all. And when the nieces and nephews grew older and started having children, those babies were loved on by Aunt Betty and Uncle John, too.  Every one of us lucky enough to have spent any time with them has special memories.

Betty and John Powell, seated, with three great-nieces soaking up their attention.

Betty loved to entertain and hosted family whenever she could. Because they were a professional couple without the expenses that children bring, they had all the nicest things. For example, Aunt Betty collected decorative eggs and had them displayed in cases. It was always fun to look at them, though our parents cautioned us, "Don't touch!" She also enjoyed buying a little gift for each child when we came to visit, making us feel special and welcome.

Betty passed away in 2011, followed by John in 2014. When their home was being cleaned out by the family, several items were discovered with notes attached saying who the item should go to. Betty had done this before she died. What wonderful surprises those things were, coming after she was gone. By saying who the items should go to, she made it so personal and special. One last gift from sweet Aunt Betty.