Mildred Irene Davis Powell, age 97, of Adams, TN, passed away Friday, August 28, 2015, at her residence.
Mildred was born in 1918, in Montgomery County, TN, to the late Joseph Fowlkes Davis and Sallie Augusta Damron Davis. She was also preceded in death by her husband, Gordon Keith Powell; son, Joseph Davis Powell, Sr.; great-grandson, Wyatt Lane Powell; and baby brother, Joseph Fowlkes Davis, Jr.
Mrs. Powell and her sister, Harriett Tate, graduated from Nashville General with an R.N. Degree in Nursing, in 1939. Mrs. Powell worked at Vanderbilt and later at Nashville General as the assistant supervisor of the outpatient department. She also did private duty nursing in Clarksville in the 1940s. She took time off to spend with her children when they were small. Later she was employed at Clarksville Memorial Hospital, from 1955 to 1983, primarily as the supervisor in the recovery room and central supply.
Mrs. Powell had a lovely voice and was blessed by the ability to play piano by ear. Reading was a lifelong pleasure and was instilled in her children and grandchildren. There are many fond memories of bedtime stories told with much enthusiasm and creativity. Retirement was an especially enjoyable time, with estate sale treasure hunts and travel to see family in other states. She and her son, Gordon, had an “open door” policy in their home of warmth and hospitality, where everyone knew they were welcome – both two-legged and four-legged. Mildred was a member of Harmony Baptist Church, in Adams.
Mrs. Powell is survived by two daughters, Irene Powell Hudson and Beth Powell Mitchell; two sons, Keith Gordon Powell and Joseph (Dana) Davis Powell, Jr.; sister, Harriett Davis Tate; seven grandchildren, Kyle Powell Wallace, Jesse (Tara) Powell, Matthew Powell, Robert (Jennifer) Hurtt, Christopher Powell, Keith Powell, and Eric Williams; eleven great-grandchildren, Kaitlin, Dalton, Karissa, Ciarra, Aleeah, Rett, Gunner, Alyssa, Aly, Michael, and Jared; great-great-grandson, Gabriel; and caregiver, Bobbie Norton.
Funeral service will be held Monday, August 31, at 1:00 PM, at the Chapel of Neal-Tarpley-Parchman Funeral Home, with Rev. Geoffrey Butcher, Randy Graves, Ricky Graves, Carney Elliott, and Pastor Dennis Herron officiating. Burial will be at a later date, in Greenwood Cemetery. Visitation will be held Sunday, August 30, from 12:00 to 4:00 PM, and Monday, August 31, from 11:00 AM until the hour of service, at the funeral home.
Honorary pallbearers will be Steve Powell, David Graves, Roy Royce, Jay Royce, Mark Powell, Jesse Powell, Matt Powell, Chris Powell, Dalton Powell, and Rett Wallace.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Mrs. Powell’s memory to Harmony Baptist Church, 4303 Harmony Church Road, Adams, TN 37010; or to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105.