Frances Powell

Skyline Mrs. Mary Frances Powell, 89, passed this life on February 12, 2011, at the Laney House of the Greenhouses at Traceway Retirement Center after an extended illness involving advanced age, multiple strokes and heart disease. A native of Belden and lifelong resident of Lee County, she was born September 23, 1921 to Martin Luther and Mary Sue Richey Payne. She was nicknamed Frank by her husband, Mr. Berlin Bordeaux Powell. They married on January 7, 1939, and were separated by his death on September 4, 1974. She lived through the Great Depression and exhibited the myriad strengths of the greatest generation. She was a seamstress for the Blue Bell Manufacturing Co. for 25 years, after which she retired to enjoy her extended family, and to spoil her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She was a caring, empathetic and giving individual who dearly loved her family, a multitude of friends, and was greatly loved in return. She enjoyed nature and especially observing the many redbirds which she fed on a regular basis. These birds became her signature decoration, adorning many of her blankets, shawls, and were always prominent on her Christmas trees. Frances had the ability to make a small universe out of her portion of Gods creation, and spent a great deal of time tending her flowers, large vegetable garden, and lawn while working with her husband to perfect their horticultural skills. Having the proverbial green thumb, she also enjoyed preserving and sharing the Lords bounty, and was an expert cook. Her family was regularly treated to sumptuous old style southern meals, and she was well known for her homemade preserves, fried apple pies, and sweet potato dishes. No holiday was complete without her signature ham, chicken and dressing and famous homemade coconut cakes with all the grandchildren competing to crack, peel, and grind the fresh coconut. The family fondly remembers and will miss her delightful sense of humor which was an essential ingredient at all family gatherings including holidays, Sunday dinners, quilting bees and canning preserves. Her humor eased the tension while waiting out tornadoes in the storm house. She was a faithful member of the Tupelo Free Will Baptist Church, and took great pleasure and comfort in reading and studying her Bible. She taught and adult ladies Bible class for twenty plus years before her health failed. She sought the Lord daily and endeavored to live a compassionate life keeping The Golden Rule. Her favorite Bible verse was I Corinthians 13:13; And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.
Services will be 11:00 a.m. Monday February 14, 2011, at The Jefferson Street Chapel of W. E. Pegues with Minister Leon Willis officiating. Interment will be in the Willis Family plot at Gilvo Cemetery.
Survivors include her only daughter and primary caregiver Caroline Sue Powell Willis (Jerry) of Tupelo; her son, Gary T. Powell (Susan) of Tupelo; her daughter-in-law, Kathy Powell of Jacksonville, Florida; seven grandchildren, Dr. Gregg A. Willis M. D. (Kim) of Tupelo, Lynn Sanderson (Roger) of Mooreville, Pamula Galdi (Tony), Brian Powell, Wayne Powell (Pamela) all of Jacksonville, Florida, Jennifer Begrin (Mark) of Southaven, Jon Gary Powell (Jennifer) of Horn Lake; 14 great-grandchildren, McKenna and Olivia Sanderson, Stephen Tyler Willis, Zach, Tyler, and Nichole Galdi , Justin and Preston Powell, Collin and Kieristen Powell, Adam, Matthew, and Meadow Begrin, and Noah Powell.
She was preceded in death by her parents and husband; a son, Berlin Wayne Powell; one brother, Luther Ray Payne, and one sister, Grace Briley.
Pallbearers will be Dr. Gregg A. Willis M. D., Stephen Tyler Willis, Jon Gary Powell, Brian Powell, Wayne Powell, and Roger Sanderson.
The family wishes to extend their sincere appreciation and gratitude to the many special caregivers in the Laney House at the Greenhouse complex, Dr. Jennifer Lowery, Dr. John Mitchell, the physicians at eh North Mississippi Family Medical Residency Center, NMMC hospice nurses, and Malinda Ingram C.N.P. for their professional, compassionate, and loving care.
Visitation will be 4 to 8 p.m. Sunday, February 13, 2011, at W. E. Pegues Funeral Home.
In Lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Good Samaritan Clinic, 420 Magazine Street, Tupelo, MS 38804.
Expressions of sympathy may be left at www.peguesfuneralhome.com .