Mary Powell, 83, of Carthage, passed away on Sunday evening, March 19, 2017, in Longview. Mary Sistrunk Powell was born on Aug. 17, 1933, in the Reeves Community of Panola County to the late Thomas Willis Sistrunk, Jr. and Ida Thurese Wallace Sistrunk. She graduated from Carthage High School with the class of 1950. She attended Panola College and earned her bachelors and masters degrees in education from Stephen F. Austin State University. She later attended the University of Colorado. Mary worked as a teacher in Hallsville, Longview, and Carthage for over 35 years until her retirement. After retirement, she worked for Pippen Motor Co. for many years. She was a member of many teaching organizations including the Texas Classroom Teachers Assn., Alpha Delta Kappa Honorary Teacher's Sorority, and a Life Member of the Texas State Teacher's Assn. She was also a member of the Longview and Carthage Jaycee Ettes and she was honored as the Jaycee Ette of Longview in 1968. Mary married Earle Chadwick Powell on Aug. 15, 1954, at the First Methodist Church in Carthage. She lived her lifetime in Carthage and was a member of the Ebenezer United Methodist Church. She was preceded in death by her parents; sister-in-law, Peggy Jean Purgason; and many other family and friends.

Survivors include her loving husband of over 63 years, Earle C. Powell; sons, Phil Powell and wife Kathy Ann and David Earle Powell; granddaughter, Caitlyn Mallory Powell Mercer and husband Dylan; aunt, Huelitt Cariker; and special family member, Ethan "Wayne" Mathews all of Carthage. Mary was an only child but had many first cousins who served as brothers and sisters. She was also survived by a special friend, Louella Gates and many other relatives and friends.

A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, March 22, 2017, at Jimerson –Lipsey Funeral Home Chapel with Dr. George Wilson and Rev. Mervin Scott officiating. Interment will follow in Macedonia Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 5-7 p.m. on Tuesday at the funeral home.

Mary Powell, 83, of Carthage, passed away on Sunday evening, March 19, 2017, in Longview. Mary Sistrunk Powell was born on Aug. 17, 1933, in the Reeves Community of Panola County to the late Thomas Willis Sistrunk, Jr. and Ida Thurese Wallace Sistrunk. She graduated from Carthage High School with the class of 1950. She attended Panola College and earned her bachelors and masters degrees in education from Stephen F. Austin State University. She later attended the University of Colorado. Mary worked as a teacher in Hallsville, Longview, and Carthage for over 35 years until her retirement. After retirement, she worked for Pippen Motor Co. for many years. She was a member of many teaching organizations including the Texas Classroom Teachers Assn., Alpha Delta Kappa Honorary Teacher's Sorority, and a Life Member of the Texas State Teacher's Assn. She was also a member of the Longview and Carthage Jaycee Ettes and she was honored as the Jaycee Ette of Longview in 1968. Mary married Earle Chadwick Powell on Aug. 15, 1954, at the First Methodist Church in Carthage. She lived her lifetime in Carthage and was a member of the Ebenezer United Methodist Church. She was preceded in death by her parents; sister-in-law, Peggy Jean Purgason; and many other family and friends.

Survivors include her loving husband of over 63 years, Earle C. Powell; sons, Phil Powell and wife Kathy Ann and David Earle Powell; granddaughter, Caitlyn Mallory Powell Mercer and husband Dylan; aunt, Huelitt Cariker; and special family member, Ethan "Wayne" Mathews all of Carthage. Mary was an only child but had many first cousins who served as brothers and sisters. She was also survived by a special friend, Louella Gates and many other relatives and friends.

A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, March 22, 2017, at Jimerson –Lipsey Funeral Home Chapel with Dr. George Wilson and Rev. Mervin Scott officiating. Interment will follow in Macedonia Cemetery. The family received friends from 5-7 p.m. on Tuesday at the funeral home.

Pallbearers are Stuart Lipsey, Nick Dorsett, David Gates, John Cooke III, Brodie Akins, Sam Allison, Joe Allison, Glen Crane, and Grant Griffin.

Honorary pallbearers are James Spriggs and James Chadwick.

Memorials may be made to Macedonia Cemetery Assn., 2155 U.S. Hwy. 79 S., Carthage, TX 75633 or Heart's Way Hospice, 437 W. Panola, Carthage, TX 75633.

A guestbook may be signed online at www.jimerson-lipsey.com.