Obituaries

Ruth Jeanette Perkins Powell

Ruth Jeanette Perkins Powell passed away quietly Sunday, Feb. 22, 2015 at St. Catherine's Village in Madison, MS. She was born Aug. 26, 1923 in Poland, Ohio. She met Ervin Powell in a science lab at Youngstown College and married him on Friday 13, 1945 after he had returned from WWII. She earned a degree in nursing, scoring at the top of her class and worked to put her husband through graduate school, helping him to earn a Ph.D. in neuro-anatomy. She and her beloved husband raised three children who loved her dearly and who remember her tender care and wise sayings. One of her favorites was, "Don't let anyone steal your joy!" Jeanette instilled in her children a love of books and especially music. For many years she continued to take piano lessons and practice daily. Jeanette loved children and taught Sunday School and Vacation Bible School for many years. She was also active in women's circles at her various churches. She lived a life of faith and expressed it through quiet service to others. She and her husband traveled extensively around the world and spent one year in Africa and one year in Jordan. She made friends wherever she lived. In 2000, she and Ervin moved to Mississippi from Little Rock, Ark., and after a time chose to live at St. Catherine's Village in Madison where she received excellent care. She enjoyed working jigsaw puzzles and attending the sing-a-longs at St. Catherine's. Her favorite hymn was "Great is thy faithfulness. She often asked her caregivers, visitors and children to sing "You Are My Sunshine." Jeanette was preceded in death by her parents, Glenn and Evelyn Perkins; and brothers, Bob Perkins and Ray Perkins and by her dear son, Craig Ervin Powell. She is survived by her husband of 69½ years, Ervin William Powell; daughters, Judy Bain Sudduth (Jerry) of Madison and Dianne Powell Harms (Royce) of Jackson; grandchildren, Lauren Harms Lemmler of New Orleans, Stephanie Harms Weldon of Madison, Meichelle Powell of Spokane Valley, Wash., Jason Edward Harms (Wendy) of Ripley, Miss., Lydia Powell Bain of Carbondale, Colo.; eight great-grandchildren; and two sisters, Mary Lou Kirsty of New Russia, N.Y. and Evelyn Oglesbee (Ron) of Seal Beach, Calif. A memorial service will be held 1 p.m. Monday, March 2 at Madison United Methodist Church with visitation at the church at noon. Memorials may be made to Madison United Methodist Church, 100 Post Oak Rd, Madison, Miss. 39110 or Mississippi Talent Education 4000 W. Tidewater Lane, Madison, Miss. 39110.

Published March 1, 2015

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