Margaret E. "Libby" Powell

Margaret Elizabeth “Libby” Powell was born in Mobile, AL on October 10, 1935, grew up in Mobile, and attended Murphy High School before attending and graduating from THE University of Alabama where she was a member of Pi Beta Phi Sorority. Libby majored in Elementary Education and taught grammar school for several years in Pensacola before relocating to Panama as an employee and teacher for the school associated with the United Fruit Company. After a few years in Panama, Libby moved back to Mobile and worked for the Merchants National Bank and became involved in Alabama politics when she began working for Alabama State Representative Jim Martin who ran for Governor against George Wallace. She then made the move across the country to work in Washington, D.C. Her work on Capitol Hill began in 1965 working for Representative Martin and in 1967 for freshman Congressman Dan Kuykendall of Memphis and after Kuykendall’s Congressional service from 1967-1975, Libby worked alongside him at his lobbying firm for numerous years. At one point during Libby’s Washington, D.C. career she was named the Assistant Treasurer of the United States under U.S. Treasurer Bay Buchanan during the Reagan Administration, and served in that position for a couple of years. She was the first Alabama women to be named to an important post in the Reagan Administration. Libby spent many years on the Executive Committee of the Board of Governors of the Capitol Hill Club, assisting with membership and spearheading events that welcomed Presidents, Senators, Congressmen and Congresswomen, as well as Elizabeth Taylor as the new wife of then freshman Senator John Warner.

Libby is perhaps best known for her terrific sense of humor, great laugh and the many wonderful meals she cooked at her Washington home, “The Arizona Hilton,” where every night was a party and everyone was a friend. One never knew who might be seated next to them at the dinner table and the ending of dinnertime prayers often concluded with “Roll Tide!”

Libby is preceded in death by her parents Margaret and Zach Powell as well as her beloved sister Dorothy Lee Powell and cats “Beau” and “Regard.” She is survived by countless friends and loved ones who have enjoyed her hospitality, friendship, food, fun, and laughter for decades and who will miss her so terribly. There was no truer friend than Libby who told it like it was! She will be especially missed by Helen Vulevich who lived near Libby in Pensacola and was her dearest friend, as well as many others whose hearts she touched over the years. Upon the death of her sister “Dot,” Libby established a swimming scholarship at the University of Alabama which is now an endowed scholarship at the University and one of Libby’s greatest passions in life.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend the service on Wednesday, February 5, 2020 at Pine Crest Funeral Home 1939 Dauphin Island Pkwy Mobile, AL 36605, officiated by Fr. Patrick Baikauskas, O.P. Visitation from 1 – 2 p.m., Service will begin at 2 p.m. with burial immediately following at Pine Crest Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be made to the University of Alabama, Crimson Tide Foundation, Dorothy Lee Powell & Margaret E. Powell Women’s Swimming Scholarship Fund (https://www.crimsontidefoundation.org/Donate.aspx) or charity of your choice.

Donations to the scholarship fund can be mailed to the Crimson Tide Foundation, Box 870343,

Tuscaloosa, AL 35487-0343.

ROLL TIDE!!