Barbara Charlene (Albond) Powell was born Sept 9,1931 in Duluth, MN. She was the daughter of Jewish immigrants from Ukraine who emigrated through Ellis Island. She grew up in Duluth in a loving family with two very hard working parents. Barbara attended and graduated from the University of Minnesota with a degree in counseling and social work. She yearned to see the world and serve others. This led her to join the American Red Cross. Some of her favorite stories and cherished memories revolve around her time in South Korea, Germany, and France, serving her country and the airmen and soldiers she so admired. She also loved the MG sports car she bought with her hard earned savings and drove it all across Europe.
Eventually, her adventures led her to San Antonio, Texas and the Officer’s Club on Ft Sam Houston where she met a young 2nd Lieutenant on flying status who was determined to dance with every woman at the Raven’s Room. Lieutenant ET ("Tom") Powell and Barbara danced and talked all night long that wonderful evening. Lt. Tom Powell subsequently was transferred to Lincoln Air Force Base (AFB) Lincoln, Nebraska. Tom wrote Barbara a letter asking her to come to Lincoln so that they could be married on Valentine's Day. Barbara drove all day and night through a snowstorm to join Tom and they were married at the courthouse in Lincoln on Feb 14, 1959.
A daughter, Liz, and a son, Elisha, soon joined them in Lincoln. The growing family was then transferred to Homestead AFB, FL in 1962. Barbara disliked winter and snow despite growing up in Northern Minnesota and found her dream location in South Florida. Tom began his career as an Eastern Airlines Pilot and Barbara began her career as a 4th Grade School Teacher at Homestead AFB Elementary School. She loved her life as a devoted mother and educator teaching in the Dade County School System and at Homestead AFB elementary for over 40 years. Their third child, Ben, completed the family with his arrival in 1967. Barbara was a leader in the Dade County School System and was well known and respected by her students and peers. Many students owed their future success in life to her tutelage and mentorship.
Raised in an Orthodox home in Duluth, she was a member of Temple Beth Am in Miami. She was also a member of Beta Sigma Phi and relished her friendships with her sorority sisters as well as their community contributions.
An extremely devoted and caring mother who emphasized educational excellence at home she shuttled her family 7 days a week to all their schools and activities. She loved attending her children's sporting events, especially Khoury League baseball and Pop Warner football. She would never fail to brag about her children's achievements to all within earshot. Barbara was a very social person and tremendous mentor. She thoroughly enjoyed her famous spaghetti dinners which she hosted for her children's friends and their friends. The adoration of her children's friends continues into the present day and these friends traveled from all over the United States and the world to visit Barbara and Tom.
Barbara loved South Florida over the 62 years she that resided here despite the hurricanes, and one in particular named Andrew, which destroyed their home. A resilient and determined woman, Barbara would not let a hurricane defeat her and she and Tom rebuilt their home and continued their life and adventures in South Florida.
She and Tom were also very active in the Car Club of South Florida and nationally as they owned and showed cars at shows from their collection, as well as selling antique car parts, through the years. In their retired years, Tom took on the role of woodworker and they began selling his creations at local juried South Florida craft shows. Again, working as the team they always were, Tom designed and created the pieces and Barbara was the salesperson. Barbara’s communication skills were stellar and she could sell anything. Many times, Barbara and Tom would sell out of their products early in a show due to Barbara's ability to connect with customers.
Barbara and Tom's 65 year marriage was truly one of partnership. They were rarely apart and insisted on doing everything together throughout their years together. Tom would often tell his children that they would have to ask his social secretary, (Barbara), before committing to anything. This is truly a rare feat in the modern world, but they made it happen because they loved each other that much.
Barbara's love for those who served their country never waned and she was a Board Member of the South Florida Chapter of the Retired Military Officer's Association, (MOAA), for the last decade. Barbara continued dancing with her lifelong love and devoted pilot Tom until her final dance on April 18, 2024.
She is survived by her devoted husband of 65 years, Major (Retired USAF) Tom Powell, Daughter, Lt. (former US Army) Elizabeth Tubergen and her husband Roy, Son, Dr./Colonel (Retired USAF) Elisha Powell and his wife Judy Powell, Son, Capt. (former USAF) Benjamin Powell and his wife Natalie Coburn, Grandchildren, Brian and Jenny Tubergen, Elisha and Dr. Sarah Powell, and Sophia and Keenan Powell.
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