Mary Dorothy Nell McCalister Powell was born November 16, 1931, to Curtis and Gertrude McCalister. She was the first and eldest of eight children. Mary attended all her primary and secondary school in the Saint Paul Schools in East Texas. She also received her cosmetology licensure as well.
After graduating she gave birth to a son, Chester Ray McCalister. Mary then moved to Fort Worth, Texas and began working at All Saints Episcopal Hospital, were she worked for over 30 years, until she retired to take care of her mother Gertrude for 13 years until she was called home.
Mary met and married Linzie Earl Lipscomb, in which they had three daughters: Carolyn Aldridge, Linda Franklin and Fran Polley. She united with her local church within the Stop Six community that she lived, the Saint Matthew Baptist Church, and she and her family were members for over 15 years. She and her family then moved their membership to then known as, Greater Mount Tabor Missionary Baptist Church when her eldest daughters were in high school. While at Greater Mount Tabor, she sang in the choir, and also the gospel group – E L Bowman Angelic Gospel Singers. Mary met and married Dock Powell and a daughter Peggy Johnson was born. Mary loved her children and did all that she could to care for her children and show them the way. In 1993, Mary joined the then known as Faith Missionary Baptist church as one of its charter members, and affectionally became known as the church mother. Mary loved children as she worked in many parts of the youth department. Moreover, her love for children extended passed the church as she often babysits many of her grandchildren, great grandchildren, children within her family, and her community. Additionally, she loved to cook, sew, fish, garden, and quilt too.
Mary took her eternal rest on Tuesday, February 4, 2020. She was preceded in death by:
• her parents Curtis and Gertrude McCalister;
• her son Chester McCalister;
• her daughter Carolyn Aldridge;
• her brothers Willie C. McCalister, Earnest “Pete” McCalister, Travis “Bozo” McCalister;
• her sisters Ollie Bowman and Hazel Cain;
• her brother in laws RB Cain and JV Hubbard;
• her sister in law Laura McCalister;
• her dear cousins Minnie Lee Tate and Haywood Wingham,
• and many other aunts, uncles, cousins, nephews, nieces, and friends that have gone home that she met at the gates.
Mary’s legacy is left to be cherish by:
• her living daughters Linda Franklin (Dwight), Fran Polley, and Peggy Johnson (Derrick),
• her living in law children Sheila Lee, Ray Aldridge, Larry Williams
• her grandchildren
• her great grandchildren
• her great great grandchildren
• her baby sister Diana Hubbard and baby brother Troy McCalister
• her brother in law Lewis Bowman and sister in laws Jessie McCalister and Ola Mae Clemmons
• her hosts of nieces and nephews
• her hosts of cousins
• and her friends.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.gwspencerdirs.net for the Powell family.
