Norma Jean Powell

Norma was born on November 22, 1928 in Americus, Kansas to Lorenz K. and Gladys Nielsen. She and her two brothers, Bill and John and one sister, Doris and her mother moved to Emporia, Kansas after her father passed away in 1942. She graduated from Emporia High School and then went onto work as a secretary for the club agents of the Lyon County office of the Kansas Farm Bureau. After marrying Darrell F. Powell in July of 1951, she worked for Helen Sellers, director of nursing at Newman Hospital as her secretary for over five years. She then went onto work as a secretary for the director of nursing at Longview Texas Regional Hospital for five years.

For several years Norma was involved in the Christian Women’s Club in Visalia, CA and Las Vegas, NV. She was a longtime member of the First Congregational Church of Emporia. When in Nevada, she was affiliated with the Green Valley Baptist Church in Henderson.

She was preceded in death by her mother; Gladys, brother; John and sister; Doris Douglas.

Norma is survived by her husband; Darrell Powell, son and his wife; Neal and Cheryl Powell and son and his wife; Bradley and Barbara Powell. She also leaves behind a grandson and his wife; Neal Jr. and Andrea and her great-grandchildren; Ava Elizabeth and Floyd Neal Powell, III. Her brother and his wife also survive her; Bill and Joann Nielsen and her brother-in-law; Keith Douglas, Doris’ husband. Several cousins and many close friends survive her too. She was considered as an excellent housekeeper, cook, mother and wife.

Burial will take place at a later date at Maplewood Memorial Lawn Cemetery in Emporia, Kansas.