Her father, retired SMSgt Dexter L. Blethen, served in the military for many years, therefore she was well-traveled, living overseas in Turkey and England before moving back to the States. Her family eventually settled in Longview, where she met and married Gary Powell in 1975.
She was a wife, mother, and friend to many. Having a heart to serve others, she was first in line to help when it was needed. She was known to cook delicious meals for others, and often spent hours counseling those who sought her out for advice when they were struggling. If someone needed a babysitter, she was there to lend a hand. During her years at Forest Park Middle School, where she worked as a secretary for 26 years, she watched many students pass through her office. Often, they needed words of encouragement. She was also known to bring clothing, school supplies, and even food when needed for her students. Many was the time she would run into former students who would thank her for her love and care. Dawn did these things, and many others, that we will never know about. It was simply a part of who she was.
One of her greatest joys was teaching Bible class. She spent most of her adult life teaching little ones about God, planting seeds and preparing their hearts. So many children over the years had the benefit of learning about Him through her teachings, including her grandchildren. Her grandchildren know well her favorite song, “God’s Beautiful, Wonderful World.”
She enjoyed cooking, even having a couple of her recipes published in a dear friend’s cookbook. Her grandchildren will always remember her famous gumbo.
Dawn passed from this life on Friday, November 16th, at the age of 64. She is survived by her husband, Gary, daughters, Jennifer Pecot and her husband, Clayton, Kim McGregor and her husband, Jason, and Laura Lineberger, and her loving mother, Glenice Blethen. She had seven grandchildren whom she loved dearly: Harrison, Madelyn, Thomas, Seth, Matthew, Emma, and Sydney. Dawn had one sister, Sue Fangman, and her husband Roger, and two brothers, Brett Blethen and his wife, Lynn, and Lance Blethen. She also took great joy in loving her numerous nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her father, Dexter L. Blethen.
There will be a visitation for her on Monday, November 19th, from 5-7pm at Lakeview Funeral Home in Longview. Services for Dawn will be on Tuesday, November 20th, at 10 am at Lakeview Funeral Home, with Gordon Grammer, Joshua Best, and Gary Whitehorn officiating. Serving as pallbearers are Mike Bailey, Joshua Best, Kenny Lattin, Harrison Pecot, Thomas Pecot, Pete Saccoccio. Honorary pallbearers are Todd Meadows and David Powell.
