KATY JO POWERS

Born in Haysi on August 21, 1923 and joined the Lord on April 14, 2023.

Katy Jo Arrington Powers was a lifetime resident of Haysi and began spending winters after retirement in Ormond Beach, Fl. for over 45 years. She was the daughter of William Harrison and Alta Belle Fuller Arrington of Haysi. Katy Jo’s love of children (Besides her own three) led her into a career of teaching others. She enjoyed very much teaching Science and Home Economics at Haysi High School for over 35 years. Mrs. Powers’ main fear was that she couldn’t teach her children all she wanted to… She always referred to them as “My Girls and Boys.” 

Katy Jo also taught Sunday School and Bible School for over 18 years at Dickinson First Presbyterian Church in Haysi, where she was a member for almost 90 years. She was also very active in her beloved community, having sponsored “Arts and Crafts” at the Dickenson County Fair for 26 years. Mrs. Powers also assisted with the “Haysi Autumn Fest” for 25 years, including helping organize and announce the parade, and sometimes walking or riding along in the parade festivities. 

Katy Jo’s “hobby” was travel having visited many important and historical places in all 50 states. When she was asked regarding her favorite place, she said “Haysi, Virginia!” Always ready to explore new experiences she also visited Mexico (and was even stranded on one occasion, but that is another story), Canada, many European Countries, Guadeloupe, and numerous Islands. Katy Jo often recalled travel adventures including cave and cavern vacations, visiting the petrified forest and redwoods, many volcanoes, and was willing to go on an unplanned excursion at any given time. Katy Jo was also blessed to visit three World Fairs in her lifetime including the Chicago Worlds Fair in 1933-34, the New York Worlds Fair in 1939-40, and Knoxville World Fair in 1982. 

Powers was a proud graduate of Haysi High School. Although Katy Jo often joked about having attended Emory and Henry College at the young age of 5 (with her mother Alta) she graduated from James Madison University and was honored to attend her 65 year alumni reunion in 2014. Katy Jo later pursued Masters Work at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and the University of Virginia. 

Katy Jo was proceeded in death by husband, Harold Travis Powers; parents, William Harrison and Alta Belle Fuller Arrington; her only brother, Daniel “Danny” Ray Arrington, who was killed in Okinawa, Japan fighting for our freedom in World War II; niece, Sue Arrington, and a host of other beloved family members and friends.

Katy Jo is survived by her three children, Danny Harold Powers and his wife, Linda, George William “Butch” Powers and his wife Sally, and Sharyn Jo Powers Ratliff and her husband Mike; three sisters in-law Brenda and Merle Powers of Haysi, and Norma P. Dabney of Orlando, Fl.; niece, Martha Farmer and husband, Jack; six grandchildren, Bridgette Sykes, Jennifer Sutherland and husband Matt, Rachel Jo Turrill and husband, Richard, Christopher Powers and wife, Adina, Brandon Ratliff, Amanda Jo Cole and husband, Roger; six great-grandchildren; four great-great-grandchildren, and many other dear family members and friends.

Funeral Services will be conducted 1 p.m. Friday, April 21, 2023 at Haysi Funeral Home with Wayne Rodgers officiating.  Burial will follow in the Russell Memorial Cemetery, Lebanon.  Family and friends will serve as pallbearers.  The family will receive friends after 12 p.m. prior to the service.  In of lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Dickenson First Presbyterian Church of Haysi, Virginia. Online condolences may be sent to www.haysifuneral.com.

Haysi Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.