Katherine Runnels Powell

Katherine Runnels Powell died Friday, January 28, 2011, after a nine month battle with a malignant brain tumor. She was the beloved daughter of Katherine McCrary and John Atkins Runnels. A native Atlantan, Katherine spent her childhood in Druid Hills until her father moved the family to, what was then country, Nancy Creek Road. She graduated from Druid Hills High School, Gulf Park College, and the University of Alabama where she was a member of Delta Delta Delta Sorority. Katherine made her debut with the Atlanta Debutante Club. Her early career was spent as a model, fashion coordinator, and buyer for JP Allen in Atlanta. A true beauty, both inside and out, she modeled in Atlanta and New York. After 5 years of courtship she married the love of her life, Henry Miller Powell, Jr. on September 11, 1953. Katherine was mother and best friend to her one daughter, Katherine Atkins Powell. Throughout her life she was always civically devoted and served her community in many charitable endeavors. Her tireless energy, enthusiasm, indomitable spirit and time were lent to the Atlanta Junior League, Atlanta Botanical Gardens, Atlanta History Center, the Bal de Salut and the Rose Garden Club. She was deeply committed to and had great affection for Egelston Children's Hospital (now, Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta) and her many friends there. Until the time of her illness, she was still actively pursuing her love of fashion as a representative for Doncaster Clothes. A lifelong member of Peachtree Presbyterian Church, she belonged to the Gene Wilson Sunday School Class. She loved the Lord and served Him proudly. The family would like to express their deepest thanks and heartfelt appreciation to Dr. James C. Robinson, Patty Braun, Freda Wall, Dr. W. Perry Ballard and the dedicated staff of the Waters Pavilion at Piedmont Hospital for their devotion, support and loving care. Gratitude is also extended to the caring staff at Hospice Atlanta. In addition to her husband of 57 years, Hank, and her daughter, Kappy, Katherine is survived by special cousins: Mary Lewis Elmore, Little Rock, AR; James I. Burrow III, Memphis, TN; James Martin Greene, Memphis, TN; and Jeannie Burrow Wilbourn, Memphis, TN; and their families. To them, she was lovingly known as “Ez.” Katherine is also survived by special little nieces: Helen Powell Medlin and Caroline Jane Medlin; countless friends whom she cherished; and her dearly loved Magnolia. The memorial service will be held at one o'clock in the afternoon on Thursday, the third day of February at Peachtree Presbyterian Church, 3434 Roswell Road Atlanta, GA 30305. A reception will immediately follow in the Williams Center. In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions in Katherine's honor be made to Piedmont Hospital, Inc. for the Brain Tumor Center Fund, Attn. Erica Nelson, 1968 Peachtree Road NW, Atlanta, GA 30309; or to Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta at Egelston. Online condolences may be made at hmpattersonspringhill.com.