Dorothy Lee Powell

Dorothy Lee Davis was born on July 6, 1933 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Her parents, Harry and Gladys Wallace were in the restaurant business, and they moved to Harlingen, Texas for work where they lived until Dorothy was in 6th grade. At that time, they returned to Oklahoma City. At Putnam City Central school in the 6th grade, she met her future husband, Jon Vernon Powell. She was wearing an outfit that modeled a Navy uniform in honor of the US Navy which was still battling in WWII. He remembers their meeting still today.

Just prior to 8th grade, Dorothy moved back to Harlingen with her parents where Harry opened up his own barbeque restaurant called “The Pig Stand.” When she was a junior in high school, they moved back to OKC, so Harry could manage Twin Hills Golf and Country Club. Dorothy graduated from Northeast High School.

Jon, upon hearing she was back in town, called her up for a date during their senior year. They married on September 12, 1953. Jon went to college at OU, and Dorothy began working for the telephone company. Jon was drafted into the Korean War and the couple moved to Atlanta, Georgia where Jon was stationed. In Atlanta, their first child, a son, Cleve Wallace Powell, was born. After the war, they returned to OU 1956. Jon graduated in 1958. Their daughter, Jonna Dee Powell, was born in January of 1959.

Dorothy and Jon lived and worked in OKC for most of their lives after that. Dorothy worked for a time as a secretary at Joe Esco Tire Center and then at Putnam City West High School until her retirement in the early 1990’s. Her real love was being a wife and mother and raising her children. Later, she greatly enjoyed being a grandmother to her 7 grandchildren.

She and Jon were members of both First Presbyterian Church and then founding members of St. Stephen’s Presbyterian Church where they have worshipped and served ever since.

Dorothy is survived by her husband of almost 72 years, Jon V. Powell. She is also survived by her children, Cleve W. Powell and Jonna D. High, and 7 grandchildren: Allison Jennings, Beth Gilland, Mary Driver, Emily Schuch, Judith Yerger, Mitch Butler, and Jon Butler. She was blessed with 24 great grandchildren.

Dorothy's service will be 1:00 p.m., Saturday, March 29th at St. Stephen's Presbyterian Church, 2424 N.W. 50th St, Oklahoma City, OK 73112. Following the funeral service will be a committal service at 4:00 P.M. at Rose Hill Burial Park, 6001 N.W. Grand Blvd, Oklahoma City, OK 73118.