Birth date: Oct 3, 1931 Death date: Jul 29, 2025
Mary Louise “Lou” Potter (née Bryant) passed away peacefully at her home in Roanoke, Virginia on July 29, 2025. Born October 3, 1931 in Norfolk, Virginia to Jonas Ryland Bryant and Mary Elizabeth Bryant (née Judge), Lou grew up Read Obituary
Aunt Lou was one of the most inspiring, sweet and generous person, I have ever known. She was always happy. When you think of extraordinary, that was Aunt Lou. She was extraordinary. She will be missed. My condolences to my cousin's and their families. Love, Lisa
Dearest Lou, my close friend and mentor, repeatedly encouraged me to take an EMT class in 1979, even as I explained my lifelong aversion to any situation which would require EMT skills
But she persisted and in 2006, I ran my last rescue call after twenty-six years of service.
I took that initial step because Lou wouldn’t give up on me.
Together, Lou and I cared for hundreds of patients. We rejoiced together. We wept together.
I would not be the person I am today without Lou. I would not have become an EMT Instructor or travelled to Mexico and Guatemala on medical missions, I would not have followed in her footsteps to become rescue captain, both of us serving at a time when females were not even allowed on many volunteer squads.
Thank you to her wonderful family for sharing Lou with me and our Lake of the Woods community. I loved her so.
Pat Ivey
