Bettye Powers

Bettye Jo Powers was born on September 6, 1929, in Idabel, Oklahoma to her parents, the Cleo L. Johnson and Laura Elma Johnson. Bettye was their only child. In 1946, she moved to Denver, Colorado to live with her father and stepmother Ida Mae Johnson. In Denver, she attended and graduated from Manual High School. She advanced her education by attending the Emily Griffith School of Business and the University of Colorado. She was determined to use her education and hard-work to become a successful entrepreneur. Later, she used her education and love for cooking to open her restaurant named Bettye's Ranch House. There people stood in line to get a taste of her fabulous dishes and delicious desserts. After closing her restaurant, she then used her talents to begin her new business venture in a predominately male dominated industry, Asphalt Paving. She started her successfully owned and operated business, Denver Asphalt Paving. There, she employed numerous employees. She received a lot of accolades for this accomplishment. While accomplishing her business dreams, she was able to purchase her dream home in Arvada, Colorado in 1978. This was a home she worked very hard for and was proud of her accomplishment. Bettye had a close relationship with God. Although she did not attend church frequently, due to health issues, she kept Him close to her heart and read His words consistently. The most important thing to remember about Bettye was that she loved God, her children and grandchildren. She enjoyed life and was a risk taker. She enjoyed traveling and visiting casinos. Taking trips to the casino was one of her favorite hobbies. She specifically enjoyed house decorating and cooking. She was a fanatic about cleanliness. Her father always said, "I would rather eat from Bettye Jo's floor, than some individual's kitchen table." Bettye was a daddy's girl. Whenever she called or spoke to her father, she always referred to him as "my daddy." She will be remembered affectionately as "Bettye Jo" and "Grandma Bettye." Bettye is preceded in death by her mother, Laura Elma Johnson; her loving father, Cleo L. Johnson; wonderful step mother, Ida Mae Johnson; son, Reginald L. King, and grandson, Reginald L. King II, and a friend, Pauline Langheart. Bettye Jo Powers departed this life on May 18, 2015, in Denver, Colorado. Those left to cherish her memory include her daughter, Lauraetta Powers; aunt, Clifford Grant; grandchildren, Anissa Patman, Jamila and Eboni Powers, Kendra and Jason Davis; great-grandchildren, Hylerie Harris, Dejanay Peele, Leggacy White, Destiny Moore, Robert Darnell, Charles Jordan Dame, Brianna Patman and Rickey Powers; devoted friends, Celestine Clark, Lana Mercer, and a host of other relatives and many friends.

Funeral Home: Pipkin Braswell Funerals and Cremation - 2050 Uinta Street, Denver, Colorado
Visitation: 5/20/2015 - Pipkin Braswell Chapel of Peace - 6601 East Colfax Avenue, Denver, CO
Service: 5/29/2015 at 2:00 PM - Pipkin Braswell Chapel of Peace - 3370 Ivy Street, Denver, CO
Family Gathering: 5/29/2015 - Following Service Pipkin Braswell Reception Center - 2428 Ogden Street, Denver, CO