Elizabeth Jean Powers Whitley, the last surviving sibling of Gordon A and Marie Honeci Powers passed away on June 26 2018. She was born March 31, 1931 in Lynch, Kentucky. Proceeding in her death were first husband Gilbert Lee Whitley, son Christopher Mark Whitley, brother Jack Powers, and sisters Anna Gordon Miles, Marie Antoinette Durrett, and Glennah Katherine Tulloch. Surviving are sons Gil (Maria)Whitley, Michael Whitley, grandchildren Stacy Weerasinghe, Adria McAllister, Jessica Whitley, Kevin Whitley, Michelle Kendrick and Trish Whitley along with 16 great grandchildren and 5 great great grandchildren. Besides growing up at #8 27th St., Huntington WV, she also resided in Proctorville, Ohio, Brielle, NJ, England, and Myrtle Beach, SC. She traveled to such countries as China ( walked the Great Wall ), Italy, Germany, Thailand, Vietnam, Switzerland, South America, Mexico, France, Czechoslovakia, and the birthplace of her mother Austria. She made many friends along the way and was very grateful for those friendships and who assisted her while in Myrtle Beach particularly Lucia Bocat. Betty Jean as known by her friends was a gracious hostess always serving home baked cake, pies, cookies and fudge. She was a graduate of Huntington East High School, Huntington School of Business, and; received associate degrees from New York State University and University of Kentucky in the dental field while working for Dr. Jack and Judy Eblin. She was a member of the DAR with several listed patriots. Mom was a terrific bridge player who with her partners won many tournaments over the last 30 years in Myrtle Beach. Mom enjoyed the Cincinnati Reds, Little League Baseball, her daily crossword puzzle, and Kindle watching her favorite movies. Also she had a lifelong passion of reading daily. Mom was an awesome cook, a loving mother, and a fabulous story teller about her life growing up. She received her First Holy Communion May 2nd, 1943 at St Joseph's Church. McMillan-Small at 910-67th Ave. N. Myrtle Beach, SC will be assisting with the funeral. Please no flowers but notes of good times with our mom would be wonderful to receive. There will be a family memorial service but friends of her certainly welcomed at the Rome Cemetery Mausoleum Chapel in Proctorville, Ohio on Saturday, June 30th beginning at 3 p.m. Condolences may be expressed to the family at www.ehallfuneralhome.com.
