Mrs Nancy Grace Wilkes Powell

Powell, Nancy Grace Wilkes -age 73, Our precious and beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and sister passed away Friday, September 27, 2013. Nancy was born in Beckley, West Virginia. She and her family attended the First Baptist Church of Beckley. After graduating from Woodrow Wilson High School, she attended the University of Tennessee. It was at the University of Tennessee that she met Fred Powell, her husband of 50 years. Nancy was preceded in death by her parents, William Wesley and Helen Sisson Wilkes; brother, William Wesley Wilkes III; and nephew, William Wesley IV. She is survived by her husband, Fred H. Powell; sons, Fred A. Powell of Knoxville and James S. Powell and wife, Tonya, of Fredericksburg, VA; daughter, Kristin Loveday and husband, Gary, of Sevierville, TN; brother and sister-in-law, Robert and Deborah Wilkes of Jacksonville, FL; sister and brother-in-law, Jane and Edward Rymer; sister, Connie Wilkes; sister-in-law Jean Wilkes of Spring Texas; aunt, Ernestine Pushkar of Melcroft,PA; grandchildren, Nicholas Powell, Joshua Powell, Rachel Loveday, Lindsay Loveday, Olivia Grace Powell, and Jacob Powell; nieces, Dr. Jennifer Rymer and husband, Daniel Shumate, of Durham, NC and Courtney Cluxton and husband, Todd, of Spring, TX; and several cousins. The family has chosen to honor Nancy by remembering the influence she had on the lives of others. Nancy was a person who had many interests in life. She especially liked being outdoors. As a child, she and her siblings took every opportunity to hike in the mountains and to create structures from the deep snows of West Virginia. The children tried unsuccessfully to build igloos, but what fun they had trying to construct them. Nancy always watched over her younger brothers and sisters. She was a wonderful “big sister.” After she married, Nancy liked to work in her garden and with her flowers. This gave neighbors the opportunity to stop and visit with her. Nancy was a good friend because she was a good listener. She was also adept at business and was universally sought out for advice. Her children were always amazed at her mechanical skills and ability to build things. They could not wait to come home from school to see what her latest project was. As teenagers, they learned the value of physical exercise because Nancy was so physically fit that she could outdistance them in any foot race. Her children grew up thinking that there was no limit to what a woman could achieve. There was always open conversation between Nancy and her children. Some of the best family discussions took place as they enjoyed the delicious meals she prepared. Her family admired Nancy’s devotion to her mother, Helen Wilkes, (who passed away in 2012). Nancy and Fred made sure that the family spent time together. There were many trips to Cincinnati to see baseball games and to Myrtle Beach. Nancy will always be in our hearts. Please honor the life of Nancy by doing an act of kindness for someone. A private family graveside will be held. Online condolences at www.rosemortuary.com

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Mrs Nancy Grace Wilkes Powell

September 27, 2013