Ruth Cook Powell

Ruth Cook Powell, 96, of Montgomery, AL, passed away Monday, April 13, 2015. Visitation will be held at Cloverdale Baptist Church on Saturday, April 18, 2015 at 1:00 pm followed by a funeral service celebrating her life in the church sanctuary at 2:00 pm with The Reverend Keith Hinson and Dr. Donald J. LaBelle officiating.

Ruth was the widow of Francis (Frank) Marion Powell of Powell Electric Company, a family business. She and Frank travelled the world together and “she was his eyes”. Some of their travels are recorded in a story, “Remember Africa”, written and published by her grand niece, Jo Beth McDaniel Clark.

For their decades of work with the Alabama School for the Blind, she and Frank were presented the Alabama Blind Award for Alumni and workers, “for a life time of devoted service”.

She was predeceased by her parents, William Ransom and Beulah Little Cook of Selma, Alabama, a brother, William Ransom Cook, Jr. (Ivy), a sister, Bertie Cook Carr (John), a sister, Bernice Cook Denio(Charles Dwight), Daisie Cook Garnett (Everett) and a baby sister, Evelyn.

She was born on August 21, 1918 in Montgomery, AL but she spent her early years in Selma, AL. She had wonderful stories of her childhood which she often shared.

She met her husband at Shocco Springs Baptist Conference Center with a group of young people from Southside Church in Montgomery. Together, she and Frank were active and faithful members of Southside which became Cloverdale Baptist Church in 1950.

For many years she was an active member of “The Dynamites”, a ladies’ Domino Group.

Ruth was always a gracious “Southern Lady”, always at her best, always encouraged others, regardless of the situation or circumstances. She loved all people but also gave a loving home to many “four legged children”. There were always pets in her home. She loved her extended family and she held the large family together. She will be missed.

Ruth has many loving nieces and nephews. Among them were the recently deceased Charles Dwight Denio, Jr., William Carroll Denio, Sr, Tom McDaniel and John B. Stone. Locally, she is survived by her niece Marcella Carr Foster and her daughter, Joy Foster Stanford (Robert Paschen) and her daughters, Joli Stanford Respess (Jeff) and her son, Cobin; and Jennifer Stanford Evans (Trey); her niece, Florence Denio Wilson and her son David B. Byrne,III (Betty Bobbitt) and their children Betsy and Bryson; her nephew, Dennis R. (Rodney) Powell (Diane) ; and her grandniece, Rebecca Barrett Wilson (Michael) and their son Alex Wilson. She is survived by her niece JP (Robert Lee) Puette of Reno, NV.

There are many other grand nieces and nephews who loved her and will miss her. Among them are: Tanis Denio Adams and Charles Dwight Denio, III; William Carroll Denio,Jr., Robert Waite Denio, Beverly Denio Baker and Deborah Denio Schumacker; Nina Byrne Cribbs and Ruth Marie Byrne; Jo Beth McDaniel Clark, Scott McDaniel, Leslie McDaniel and Joy McDaniel Battles; Horace Horner; Lisa Powell Brantly and Stacey Powell Hitchcock; Melissa Whatley Shepherd, Julia Cook Whatley, Amme Hill Poulton; Selma Stone, Bowen Stone, Frank Stone, Stephanie Stone Homa and Raymond Stone; Steve Barrett, Mike Barrett and Matt Wilson.

Serving as active pallbearers will be her grand nephews: David Bryson Byrne, III, David Bryson Byrne, IV, William Carroll Denio, Jr., Robert Waite Denio, Sr., Michael P. Barrett, Scott Douglas McDaniel and Ryan Alexander Wilson.

The family wishes to thank the Amedisys Hospice Group for their excellent help during Ruth’s extended illness. They particularly thank the faithful, caring sitters that attended her: JaSonya Smith, Shelayium Smith, LeKessha Smith, Jeannie King and long time cherished friend, Rosetta Cabiness.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Shocco Springs Baptist Conference Center, 1314 Shocco Springs Road, Talladega, AL 35160.