Betty Lou Hutchison, born November 1, 1931, in Washington, DC, passed to glory on August 7, 2026. 

She was predeceased by her parents, Frank Iver Gerald and Mary Paxton Gerald. She was an only child.

She is survived by her two daughters, Patty Eldridge and husband Gene, and Connie Fields; ten grandchildren: Jeremiah (Leah), Whitney, Nathan, Daniel (Luisa), Timothy (Rosemary), Emily, Stephani (Rocco), Patrick, Trevor, and Tonya; plus 16 great-grandchildren. 

She met William Raymond Hutchison, known as Billy, in Waterford, Virginia, while visiting her grandmother, Virginia Paxton, who lived in the hidden house in Waterford. They were happily married in January 1948 and remained married until his death in November 1991. 

Betty was a firm-believing Christian and a member of the Waterford Baptist Church for over 75 years. She was also the oldest living member. The church was her second family, and she loved each member. She would make pickles and strawberry jam to hand out on Sunday mornings, and even as recently as this past Christmas, she made homemade quilted potholders for each family. 

She worked at Cardinal Foods in Leesburg during the 1960s through the 1970s, then moved to the USPS, where she worked out of the Waterford Post Office for over 25 years. She even walked to the post office to open once during a snowstorm with four-foot drifts, holding onto the fences to walk. She was a serious postal worker! 

Betty had many favorites... any patched quilt, any beach, any flower, any bird, any cat or dog, any wild animal in the yard, but most of all, any person. She was kind and considerate to everyone she met, and no one was a stranger. Everyone was always welcomed for a meal or to chat. She loved bright colors, especially aqua and lavender, which was evident in her many handmade quilts. 

She had many friends and memories, but some of the most cherished were the times spent with the Beach Bums on the annual beach trip, with so many photos and stories to tell upon her return home. Although we did hear, "What happens at the beach stays at the beach," several times! 

She was one of a kind, never to be replaced, and she will be missed but never forgotten. 

Viewing will be held on Sunday, August 23rd from 4-6. Funeral Services will be Monday, August 24th at 1:00 p.m. Both will be held at Colonial Funeral Home of Leesburg, 201 Edwards Ferry Rd NE, Leesburg, VA 20176.