Donna Powell

MONTGOMERY, AL. — Donna Ferguson Powell passed away peacefully

at home on Thursday, June 9, 2016 in the presence of her four children.

Born November 17, 1925 in Lima, Ohio to the late Vivian Ray Ferguson

and Alta V. Stanyer, she grew up in Montgomery from the age of eleven.

Here, she met her future husband, Barney Raiford (B.B.) Powell, and

married him on November 16, 1941. They enjoyed 55 years of marriage

before his death in 1996.

Donna was a founding member of Hunter Station Baptist Church in

Montgomery, where she attended for more than seventy years. She

organized their annual Homecoming, which is still held every year in

September, bringing current and past members of the church together for a day of music and

fellowship. She also founded the church’s Faithful Widows group, which met regularly in her home.

She was a rural mail carrier for the United States Postal Service for over twenty years, a job that

some thought she might not be able to do, but being a determined and resourceful woman, she

proved them wrong and had a wonderful career and made many lasting friendships. She continued

to host parties in her home with her “letter carrier buddies” right up to the end of her life.

A treasured member of the community, many grew up playing in her back yard and think of her as

their “second mom” or another “aunt”, and share many wonderful memories of her. She was a good

friend to all her neighbors who returned her kindness with genuine warmth and care.

Donna is survived by her four loving children: Barney Ray Powell (Barbara Powell, d.), Donna

Marie Powell (Gordon Fowler), Jane Powell Brown (Jerry Brown), and Bonni Lee McConnell (Jeff

McConnell); five cherished grand-children: Jennifer Cole (John Cole), Mark Powell (Priscilla

Powell), Tracy Powell, Megan McConnell, and Joseph McConnell; four beloved great grandchildren:

Sara Jo Cole, Justin Powell, Madison Cole, Kate Powell, and Sawyer Powell, with another

great grand-child, William, due soon to Tracy; her lovely niece, Synetta Rossell (Ray Rosell), the

daughter of her late brother, Joe Ferguson.

The family is especially grateful for the care provided by Baptist Hospice of Montgomery, Melissa

Cobb, Debra Steele, and her personal care giver Sheila Stanfield who filled the days with much love

and laughter.

On Sunday, June 12, 2016, there will be visitation at Donna’s home from 12:30 pm to 2:00 pm,

followed by her funeral service at 3:00 pm at Hunter Station Baptist Church, 4700 Birmingham

Highway. Burial will follow in Montgomery Memorial Cemetery, 3001 Simmons Dr, Montgomery.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial gifts be made to either Hunter Station Baptist

Church or Baptist Hospice, 301 Interstate Park, Suite 300, Montgomery, AL 36109.Arrangements under the direction of Ridout's-Brown-Service Prattville Chapel, Prattville, AL.