From ArborWiki

Ethel 'Eppie' Potts served on the Ann Arbor City Planning Commission as long ago as the 1970's and continued to serve at least through the mid-2000's. As a Planning Commissioner, Potts helped bring about the ordinance establishing the Old West Side as a historic district. She also helped convince City Council to leave the segments of Seventh Street misaligned north-to-south where it intersects Huron Street. Rebuilding the intersection to eliminate the 'jog' would have required the removal of five houses.

After growing up in the west Chicago suburbs, Potts came to Ann Arbor to attend the University of Michigan, and earned a degree in geology. Among the places she lived while studying at the University were the UM Observatory, as well as an apartment along Ingalls Street, where the Modern Languages Building now stands.

Her involvement in the Ann Arbor community is not limited to her role on the Planning Commission, including service to the city's Democratic Party, Friends of Allen's Creek, the Historic Preservation Alliance, and the Ann Arbor Potters Guild.

Potts first married Bill Lewis, artist and a founder of the Potters Guild, and they had two children, Clayton and Susan. Ethel and Bill later divorced. In the mid-70's she married Robert Potts, who came to Ann Arbor at the behest of Al Wheeler, in order to administer Ann Arbor's Model Cities Program. Robert later served as assistant superintendent of the Ann Arbor Public Schools and as a minister at St. Andrews Episcopal Church. Robert Potts died in December 2005.

In her youth, Potts won national recognition as an oboist.