Friday, April 26, 2024
Mildred Ruth Carr Powell
September 6, 1932 – February 10, 2023
Mildred Ruth Carr Powell, age 90, was taken home to Heaven on February 10, 2023.
She was an active member of Calvary Baptist Church in Brewster for over 60 years, where she played the piano and organ and taught Sunday School for many of those years.
Born in Lubbock, Texas on September 6, 1932 to Ora and Galen (Pappy) Carr, she was raised with her siblings, Galen and Margaret, eight miles from Abernathy, Texas, on the family’s dairy and cotton farm.
At age 16, she was Salutatorian of Abernathy High School’s class of 1949. That fall, she attended Texas Tech. Besides her classes, she worked as Assistant to the Dean of Students and did runway modeling for Hemphill-Wells Department Store.
On August 31, 1951, Millie married her high school sweetheart, Travis (Mike) Powell, who started his apprenticeship in the I.B.E.W. From 1952 to 1959, they were blessed with four children: Michael, Marilyn, Dawn and Kenneth.
In 1961, the family moved to Soap Lake, Washington, following Travis’ work as a journeyman electrician. They moved to Brewster in 1964, and two years later bought a 40-acre farm where they could enjoy their ever-evolving menagerie: horses, cattle, chickens, pigs, ducks, dogs, cats, coyote, rabbits, quail, mudhens, weasels and any other creatures the kids or husband would bring home. They developed what had been Freeman’s Berry Farm into alfalfa and pasture. Eventually, an apple orchard replaced the alfalfa.
Besides her busy farming life, Millie packed apples for many years; then ran the rural mail route for 18 years. In retirement, she taught first grade at the Calvary Baptist Christian School, volunteered as a mentor in the HOSTS reading program, was secretary for the TV District and was president of Christian Women’s Club.
In 1977, at age 45, Millie returned to college to finish her degree. She earned a BA in English and Education from Fort Wright College. Also at this time, she took up skiing, 20 years of Bloomsday Runs and story-writing. She developed in her family a firm grasp of the English language and a powerful appreciation of literature. She was an amazing cook, seamstress, and quilter – hosting many sessions around a quilting frame. She instilled a firm faith in God and family. Gardening was a passion and necessity – continually canning, freezing and drying the farm’s bounty. Spare time was filled as a Den mother, Camp-Fire leader, and helping with countless 4-H projects.
Travis and Millie’s love of the outdoors led to family hunting, camping and fishing trips throughout the decades. They enjoyed many road trips and visiting relatives across the country. When Travis was working on the Trans-Alaska pipeline in the early 1980’s, Millie was able to join him for a week at his work camp in Prudhoe Bay.
When cancer took Travis away in 2003, they had been married almost 52 years.
A few years later, Millie found friendship and shared the love of the outdoors with family friend, Larry Boyd, who became her close companion for many years before his death in 2020.
Millie was cherished by her family and friends who will all miss her imaginative and adventurous nature while holding dear memories of her in their hearts.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Travis Powell; son, Michael Powell; brother, Galen Carr; and companion, Larry Boyd.
Survivors include:
Sister - Margaret Reynolds of Brewster.
Daughters - Marilyn Mauk (Ernie) of Malaga, Dawn Powell of Omak, Honorary daughter Julie Tupling of Brewster and daugther-in-law Ruby Markel-Powell of Omak.
Son - Kenneth Powell (Jennifer) of Pleasant Shade, Tennessee.
Grandchildren - Jacob and John Powell; Travis, Casey and Erin Mauk; Shannon Rowan, Jamie Morrison, Archer Powell, Astor Powell-Pedersen, Dylan Parrotta, Whitney Greer, Sarabeth Holweg, Morgan Linebaugh, Loni Markel, Bria Gonzales, Ian and Cody Campbell.
Great-grandchildren - Tanner Mauk, Piper Ruiz, Tristan and Larkin Greer, Halia Brady, Emery Morrison, Jessica Mauk, Rebecca Mauk, Ethan and Shyanne Rowan, and Destyn Markel.
Great-great grandchildren – Eden Brady, Avery and Henry Gilmer, Hailey and Kaileah Lantry, Tyler Campbell, and Mireya Chapa.
Celebration of Life service will be held at 3 p.m., March 25, 2023 at Calvary Baptist Church in Brewster. Potluck to follow service. Please bring a dish if you would like.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Millie’s name to the Brewster Senior Center, P.O. Box 96, Brewster, WA 98812.
Arrangements assisted by Barnes Chapel of Brewster.
