Linda Dawn Powers

Linda (Loasby) Powers sadly passed away on March 7, 2024. Born to Jean and Fred Loasby on October 13, 1954, Linda was a cherished sister to Heather Butcher, Martyn Loasby, and David Loasby. Linda enjoyed a fun, loving childhood in Ohio and Michigan where her family made memories swimming at Grand Lake and camping.

Linda was a beloved wife to Tom Powers. In 1972, Linda met Tom at a party while they were students at Eastern Michigan University. The way Tom tells it, he walked into the party and sat by the prettiest girl in the room. On their second date, Tom told Linda he was going to marry her. And that he did in 1974, marking a journey filled with love, companionship, and the creation of a family to continue her legacy. They were a devoted, romantic, through-thick-and-thin couple and true best friends.

Linda was a devoted mother to Rory Powers and Katheryn (Powers) Mansell. As a mother, she instilled in her children so many invaluable life lessons and enduring family traditions that have since been passed on to her cherished grandchildren Beck, Gavin, Grant, Audrey, and Lillian. Linda was so proud of her family and loved watching them grow. She was a beautiful mother of the bride at Katheryn's and Rory's weddings. She loved being a grandmother and was so excited with each new baby; she was there for the deliveries and weeks after, comforting the babies (and moms), and making meals and entertaining the older kids. Her passion for making all things beautiful, be it home design or holiday décor, was passed to her daughter Katheryn. Linda was also very creative and artistic, which encouraged Rory to pursue his interest in art.

Also left to carry on Linda's memory are her daughter-in-law, Tiffany Powers, son-in-law, Mark Mansell, sister-in-law, Cathy Loasby, brother-in-law, Jim Butcher, niece, Andrea (Loasby) Speer, nephew, Eric Loasby, and many cousins in the United States and Great Britain. She will be sorely missed by life-long friends and cherished colleagues.

Linda graduated from Eastern Michigan University and worked as an interior designer at a family-owned furniture store in Howell, Michigan. People always asked her advice on all things aesthetic, and fortunately for them, she usually encouraged them to buy whatever they were looking at. After the family relocated to Birmingham, Alabama, in 1985, Linda enjoyed being home with her kids, joining the gardening club, and volunteering at the kids' elementary school. She enjoyed her time at the school so much, she decided to return to school for early education and received another bachelor's degree in K12 education and her Master’s in Education from the University of Alabama at Birmingham in 1994. Linda found her true calling teaching kindergarten, where she spent more than 13 years at Inverness Elementary School. She was extremely passionate about her important role and made a profound impact on the students she taught who were named Mrs. Powers' Perfect Parrots. Linda's family could not run errands without bumping into one of her past or present parents who would tell her children how lucky they were to have her as their mother and what an amazing teacher Linda was.

Ambitious in her professional pursuits, Linda was equally passionate about enjoying her free time. She loved traveling with Tom, reading books (especially historical fiction), watching old movies, listening to music, and playing card games. With her sense of design style, she helped friends and family decorate new homes, pick out furniture, and even paint their rooms. Linda was an amazing hostess and fabulous cook, always searching for new recipes and having her guests' favorite things on hand. Although as a child she loved butter and potato chip sandwiches and hotdogs, she honed her cooking skills over the years. No one will forget the gourmet meals she prepared three times a day every year for Memorial Day weekend. Linda loved walking, especially at Spain Park, and was known to be somewhat obsessive about getting her steps in, even if it meant pacing the house before bed to get to 10,000.

Linda enjoyed being at her lake house, swimming, going for boat rides, and hosting friends and family. She also enjoyed exploring lakes in Michigan and always looked forward to the annual summer trip with Tom and best friends Kristy and Robert.

Linda left long-lasting impressions on anyone who was fortunate enough to spend the holidays with her. She fostered so many traditions and put so much time into making the holidays special.

Linda's greatest accomplishment was her loving family. She was a woman full of life, love, and immense kindness who instilled in her family the importance of traditions, values, and enjoying life to the fullest. Indeed, we would like to think that she is currently walking into a British pub with her favorite dog, Heidi (who greeted her at the rainbow bridge) to meet her late dad and brother for a game of darts. Join us in wishing her a good game with ‘nice grouping.’

Linda will always be remembered for her kindness, sense of humor, quiet confidence, and grace. Her legacy will continue to shine through her family, and she will be greatly missed.

A private service will be held with immediate family, but we appreciate everyone's love and support and encourage you to share your favorite memories of Linda.

If you are interested in honoring Linda's life by donating to an organization, please consider Alzheimer’s of Central Alabama, a non-profit organization and resource center serving Alzheimer’s patients, caregivers and professionals (https://alzca.org/donate-now/).