Betty Jane (Hassell) Orsland, born March 5, 1939 – entered the Church Triumphant, July 23, 2021.
Betty was born in Norfolk, Virginia to parents; Mahlon and Ruth Hassel. Her father worked in manufacturing and her mother stayed at home with the family. Betty had an older sister Marjorie. Betty graduated from Oscar Smith High School where she was a cheerleader, member of the Student Council, and played the baritone in the band. She went on to Norfolk Division of William and Mary (Now Old Dominion College), where she graduated in 1961 with honors with a degree in History. During her senior year, she met Dave Orsland and they were married on June 23, 1962.
Dave worked for General Adjustment Bureau. Betty and Dave moved to several areas but eventually settled in Hendersonville, Tennessee in April of 1974. Betty spent most of her adult life teaching and working with children. She taught second graders and then became the teacher at the Hendersonville First Presbyterian Day School. She later became the director of the school, and eventually the Church’s Director of Christian Education.
During her children’s (Kristin, Bret, Eric, and Susan) early years, she became involved in their activities, serving as a Den Mother for Cub Scouts, a leader in the Girl Scouts, as well as going on Mission Trips and Church Camps.
In 1996 she then went to work in the Children’s Department of Hendersonville Library, spending a great deal of time as the story-telling lady. After 14 years of faithful service at the library, she retired in 2010.
They were members of St. Timothy Lutheran Church where Betty taught Sunday School, Bible School, served on the Education Committee, served as a Stephen Minister, and gave the Children’s Sermon on Sunday morning.
She is survived by her husband Dave; sister, Marjorie; and 4 children: Kristin, Bret, Eric, and Susan; Rhoberta (Bret’s wife) Laura (Eric’s wife) Matthew (Susan’s husband); and grandchildren: Reagan, Harrison, Taylor, Grace, Ella, Sophie, Ethan, and Norah.
Known best as Mrs. Betty, she will be loved, cherished, and remembered by her family, grandchildren, and thousands of children whose lives she touched through her faithful years as teacher, reading, and storytelling. She demonstrated a certain calm and peace about her, at the same time a loving and caring spirit for all people. Next to the children and grandchildren, they loved travel or reading a good book.
Betty was cremated and her ashes will be scattered, per her request in various areas of the country where she loved the area and people.
Visitation will be Wednesday, July 28, 2021,10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. at Hendersonville Memory Gardens, Gallatin Road. A service of Life & Celebration will follow at 12:00 noon.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to Hendersonville Library or St. Jude’s Hospital.
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