Bettie “Betsy” Lumb Nelson

Bettie (Betsy) Lumb Nelson, 93 of Patriots Colony in Williamsburg, Virginia passed away peacefully on October 6, 2018.  Born in Pawtucket RI, she was the youngest child of Ralph and Mary Lumb. She attended Lincoln School in Providence RI, Walnut Hill School in Natick MA and Garland Junior College in Boston MA.

In 1943, she married Navy Lieutenant Nels Roland Nelson (deceased) in Pawtucket, RI. As a Navy wife, Bettie traveled and moved constantly.  In 1946 Nels was assigned to be commanding officer of a naval base in the Philippines.   Bettie joined him later that year and remembered fondly being the “first lady” of the base at the age of 21. 
    
The family subsequently moved to Winchester MA, Cambridge MA, Arlington VA, Newport News VA, Bethesda MD, Pittsburgh PA, Potomac MD,  Ford’s Colony in Williamsburg VA and finally to Patriot’s Colony in Williamsburg.  Nels died in 1995. Bettie married Lt. Col. Harry Rogers, USA Ret. of Patriots Colony (now deceased) in 2002.
    
In addition to her family, Bettie had many interests including reading, painting and singing.  In Williamsburg, she truly developed her skills as an artist and was well-known for her portrait painting.  Working in oil, watercolor and pastel, Bettie’s portraits, landscapes and still life works of art were exhibited often at Patriots Colony and in the greater Williamsburg area.
    
Bettie became hard of hearing at an early age.  In Williamsburg, she was proud to work with WISHH – “Williamsburg
Self Help for the Hard of Hearing” – and for a number of years published whimsical and funny cartoons in the WISHH newsletters.
    
Bettie is survived by three children, two grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.
   
A celebration of her life at will be held on Friday October 26 at 1pm in the Grand Hall at Patriots Colony (6000 Patriots Colony Drive off Route 5). In lieu of flowers, remembrances can be made to the Patriots Colony Fund, 6000 Patriots Colony Dr, Williamsburg, VA 23188.