Funeral services for Viola Mae Brown Powell, 94, of Beckville, will be held at 10 a.m. Monday, July 5, 2010 at Jimerson-Lipsey Funeral Home Chapel in Carthage. Rev. Don Ellis and Rev. Steven Shotzman will officiate. Burial will follow in Youngblood Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 6-8 p.m. on Sunday at the funeral home. Mrs. Powell died Thursday morning, July 1, 2010, at her home in Beckville.

Viola Mae Brown Powell was born on January 3, 1916, in Palestine, Texas. She was the youngest of four daughters born to the marriage of Mary Lee Ellen Mahurin and John Franklin Brown. She spent her early years in Palestine and later moved to New Mexico, returning to Palestine in 1928. She married Clyde Washington Powell on October 13, 1930, and they enjoyed 62 years of marriage. She loved her family above all else. Mrs. Powell enjoyed sewing and made many quilts for her children and grandchildren. She was still quilting well after her 90th birthday. She also enjoyed gardening and baking, especially her coconut cake. She lived in Beckville since 1969, moving from Neches, Texas and was a faithful member of First Freewill Baptist Church of Carthage.

Mrs. Powell was preceded in death by her husband in 1992. Also by her mother and father, an infant son, Rayman, a son, Clyde Washington Powell, Jr. in 1990, a daughter, Lanore Vye Gee in 2003, three sisters, an infant granddaughter, Lori Powell and an infant great-grandson, Conner Foster.

She is survived by six daughters, Fern Powell, Dorothy Ross and husband Marlin, Rita Brinkley and husband Tom, Diane Acker and husband Scott, and Nita Wilson and husband Harley, all of Beckville and Kathy Standley and husband Jerry, of Henderson; also survived by two sons, Doug Powell and wife Amanda of Beckville and Louis Powell and wife Beth, of Carthage. She is survived by 30 grandchildren, 63 great-grandchildren, and 24 great-great-grandchildren. Her descendants total over 100 people. Numerous nieces, nephews, and many friends also survive her.

Serving as pallbearers are David Phillips, Justin Powell, Justin Newman, Jason Acker, Daniel Acker, Michael Powell, Stephen Powell and Adam Wilson. Grandson, Justin Newman, is currently serving in Iraq and great-grandson, Thomas Barr, is currently serving in Afghanistan.

If desired, memorials may be made to First Freewill Baptist Church, 4153 NW Loop 436, Carthage, TX 75633.

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