Barbara J. Powell Powell,80, of Riceville, died Sunday, March 13, 2016, at Hospice of Chattanooga.
She was a long time resident of McMinn County and was a daughter of the late Marion and Ruby Gaylor Powell, and was also preceded in death by her husband James Marvin Powell, and sisters Helen Long and Carolyn Shoemaker.
She was a member of Eastanallee Baptist Church, where she served as church organist for 40 years. She was a graduate of Tennessee Wesleyan College, and had taught for 35 years in the McMinn County School Systems,the first at Poplar Hill Elementary School and the remaining years at Riceville Elementary School. She was well known for sending congratulatory, get well and newspaper articles to many recipients for many years.
She is survived by a daughter and son-in-law, Jean Marie and Tim Jones of Benton; grandchildren, Garrett and Chandlee Jones; and the son she never had and his family, Rocky and Sandy Sheafer and Lucas, Shalin and Maria Sheafer.
A funeral service will be conducted, 7:00 pm, Thursday, March 17, 2016 in the chapel of Smith Funeral Home with Dr. Tony Crisp and Rev. Oran Creasman officiating. The committal service will be 11:00 am, Friday in Eastanallee Cemetery. The family will receive friends Thursday from 4:00-6:30 pm at the funeral home prior to the service.
Pallbearers will be Shalin Sheafer, Lucas Sheafer, James Sheafer, Rocky Sheafer, John Thompson, Travis Brock and Freddie Miller.
Barbara will best be remembered by the quote she used at the end of the thousands of cards she sent out over the years, "HAVE A GREAT DAY".