Irene Shirley Collins Powell, age 84 of Knoxville, was called to her heavenly home to be with the Lord, on March 2, 2018. She was the salutatorian of her graduating class of 1951, at Carter High School. She also attended Draughon's Business College in Knoxville, TN, before working for Watson’s Department Store in Knoxville. Upon having her first child, she became a full-time homemaker. She was an immaculate housekeeper, wonderful cook and baker, loving and devoted wife to her husband, Gene, and loving mother to her three children. She began substitute teaching at Carter High School while her oldest children were there, and continued for 34 years, making many dear friends during her time of service. Irene was a long time member of Mount Carmel Baptist Church; she loved Jesus, and her church family. Irene was preceded in death by the love of her life, husband, Everett Eugene (Gene) Powell; parents, Henry Collins and Arlie Collins McCubbins; sisters, Wilma Cantrell Wick, and Glynda Ogle Everett; mother-in-law, Ruby Langley Powell; brothers-in-law, Bob Cantrell, and Joe Julian; nephew, Sidney Ogle; neice, Kim Cantrell Vance. Left to cherish her memory are her children, Jeannine (John) Griffin, Brad Powell, and Denise (Robert) Miller; granddaughter, Maddie Powell; special sister-in-love, Bernice Powell Julian; neices, Kay Cantrell, Aleta Everett Webb, Brenda Everett Osborne, and Laura Julian Todd; great-nephew, Gabe Todd. The family would like to extend a special thank you to Avalon Hospice, and mom’s special caregivers. The family will receive friends Monday, March 5th, from 6-8 PM at McCarty-Evergreen Funeral Home, 7426 Asheville Hwy., Knoxville, TN, 37924. Funeral service will follow, with Rev. Chris Hutchins officiating. Graveside service will be Tuesday, March 6th, 11:00 AM at Caledonia Cemetery. Shared memories and condolences may be shared at www.mccartyevergreen.com
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She Is Not Gone, by Betty Hickman
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She is not gone, as some would say,
Who graced this way a little while,
For in just a moment my memory evokes
The tone of her voice and her smile.
Her beauty I see in the sun's golden rays
As it lights the morning sky;
I sense her touch so very near
When the playful breezes pass by.
I hear her footsteps just as before
In the cadence of the springtime rain
As it falls, and leaps, and taps, and moves
In rhythm on my windowpane.
Like a beautiful bird takes swift to the wing
When the cage is an open door;
She left behind the commonplace
The farthest worlds to explore.
She is not gone, as some would say,
This one we loved so much-
She just moved on to another plane
Endowed by the Master's touch.
Another place, another time,
Our friendship renewed will be
Mirrored in God's perfect love
For all eternity.
Betty
COMPARTA UN OBITUARIO
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