Potter, Alberta 'Betty' Margaret Jones

Alberta “Betty” Margaret Jones Potter, 96, formerly of Marion, died peacefully in Bradenton, Fla., on June 22, 2011, from complications of a stroke suffered Aug. 26, 2006. Private family burial will take place at Cedar Memorial Park Cemetery in Cedar Rapids. There will not be a visitation held. A public memorial service will be held in Marion at a later date in the fall. Arrangements by Murdoch Funeral Home & Cremation Center in Marion.

Betty was born the daughter of Gertrude Jane (LeClere) Jones and W. David Jones on Feb. 25, 1915, in Milo Township, Delaware County, Iowa. Betty graduated from Oneida High School in 1932 and Lennox College in Hopkinton in 1934. She also attended classes at the former Iowa State Teachers College in Cedar Falls. Betty was united in marriage to Kenneth Charles Potter on June 6, 1939. She was a former teacher in rural Iowa schools, taught school in Washington, D.C., and worked many years as a bookkeeper and substitute teacher for the Marion Independent School District. She retired as a bookkeeper from McGrath Pontiac in Marion.

Betty was a Blue Birds Girls leader and active in Camp Fire Girls. She was a member of First United Methodist Church in Marion, including singing in the choir as well as belonging to UMW, the Thursday Morning Group (TMG), the Widows in Need (WIN) group and was one of the original members of the Wesleyan Circle. After retiring, Betty volunteered at and was often in charge of the polls during elections.

Survivors include three daughters, Carol Ann DeWilde (Alan Garrott) of Bradenton, Fla., Janet Marie Schneider (Michael) of Ann Arbor, Mich., and Bonnie Jean Ryal (Pat) of Managua, Nicaragua; one son, David Hugh Potter (Judy) of Bellingham, Wash.; six grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; four great-great-grandchildren; and two brothers, William Dean Jones of Manchester and Leland David Jones of Winnebago, Ill.

Betty was preceded in death by her spouse; parents; three brothers, James Arden LeClere, Alvin Kenneth Jones and Robert Eugene Jones; and an infant great-grandson, Michael Aldridge.

Memorials may be directed to First United Methodist Church, 1298 Seventh Ave., Marion, IA 52302, or Dorcas House ALF, 1304 26th St. W., Bradenton, FL 34205, where Alberta received excellent love and care.

Please sign the online guest book for Betty at  under obituaries.