Plott, Betty Jane Hall

Betty Jane Hall Plott, 83, of Radford, Va., passed away on Wednesday, December 10, 2014. She was born in Ronceverte, W.Va., on December 4, 1931, to the late Ella Yates and William Olan Hall. The youngest of five children, she was spoiled from the moment she was born, and liked it that way until her last days.

She graduated from Covington High School in 1949 where she was a cheerleader and an excellent student. She married Cecil A. Plott on June 27, 1953. They moved to Radford in 1961.

With three small boys, Betty went back to school to pursue teaching. She graduated from Radford College with a B.S. and M.S. in Elementary Education. She went on to teach elementary school then served as assistant principal then principal of Jefferson Elementary School in Pulaski County until her retirement. Some of her fondest memories and favorite people came from her time at Jefferson.

Those who had the good fortune of knowing Betty know what a special person she was to so many. She contributed greatly to the Radford community and served on the Radford School Board after her retirement. She was an honorary member of Delta Kappa Gamma and an active member of St. Jude Catholic Church. She served with the Altar Society, taught Catechism and served on the Justice and Peace Committee. She also volunteered with Meals on Wheels, the Elf Shelf, the Radford Clothing Bank, tutored elementary school children, and contributed to numerous other charities.

Betty believed women should wear lipstick and men should open doors, and that everybody should believe in something. She loved her girlfriends – the WWs, chocolate, and everything about Christmas. She did not love to cook, but was quite good at it – always with all burners on high. Betty took no greater joy than in spoiling her grandchildren, and was the happiest when her home was filled with the people she loved.

Betty was preceded in death by her parents; her beloved husband of 51 years; and her sisters, Edith Loomis, Margaret Dolan, and Mildred Porterfield.

She is survived by her brother and sister-in-law, Raymond and Vivian Hall; a brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Tommie and Peggie Newberry; her children, Verner A. Plott, James M. Plott, and John P. Plott; her devoted daughter-in-law, Mary H. Plott, who she loved as her own; her adored grandchildren, Sean (Eleonora) Plott, Carrie (Billy) Jones, Megan Plott, Ryan Plott and Leslie Plott (Stephen Hoopengardner); her great-grandchildren Will Jones and Hazel Plott; and a host of other family, friends, and former students whose lives she touched along her journey.

We will mourn her loss while rejoicing in knowing she is reunited with Cecil, and they are doing the jitterbug in Heaven.

A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. Jude Catholic Church on Saturday, December 13, at 11 a.m. The family will receive friends prior to the service at 9:30 a.m. Interment will follow at Sunrise Burial Park. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in Betty’s memory to St. Jude Catholic Church, 1740 Tyler Road, Christiansburg, VA 24073 or Feeding America SWVA, 1025 Electric Road, Salem, VA 24153.

DeVilbiss Funeral Home in Radford, Va., is in charge of arrangements.