Shirley Nell Powell

Let not your hearts be troubled. Ye believe in God; believe also in me. In my Father’s house there are many mansions. If it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. – John 14:1-4

Shirley Nell Brown Powell was born on December 1, 1934 in Graford Texas to Norman and Opal Whatley Brown and on March 20, 2024 at the age of 89 years 3 months and 19 days of age she entered the gates of heaven.

Shirley graduated from Graford High School in 1953 and attended Howard Payne University where she met the love of her life, Charles E. Powell Sr. Shirley and Charles were married in Graford, but made their home in Waxahachie, where Charles worked for the Texas Highway Department. To this union 4 children were born; Carol, Charles Jr, Robert, and Gerald.

After Charles, her husband was killed in an auto accident in 1963 Shirley returned to her hometown of Graford with her children to be near her parents. Shirley worked for Southern Airways of Texas as a Flight Simulator Instructor, then at Texas Packaging (The Box Factory) and then later in life, for 19 years she worked for  Walmart in Mineral Wells as a greeter.  She was as dedicated to greeting each shopper that entered Walmart with a smile and cheerful “ Hellooo “, as she was at training young pilots to be the best that they could be to ensure they always returned to their families safely.

 Shirley took each and every job she had very serious and purposefully made the commitment to do the best job that she could. 

Shirley was a faithful Christian woman throughout her whole life; from a young age until the day she joined her Lord in heaven. She was faithful to her Lord, and to her church, remaining active until her health kept her from being able to attend worship service at her beloved Indian Creek Baptist Church. Even that did not deter her she took every opportunity to take part in bible study or worship service that was provided at her care center. 

Shirley leaves to cherish her memory, her daughter Carol; her son Robert and his wife Shelley. Grandchildren Jason Powell, Ryan Wallace, Lindsey Wallace, Matthew Powell, Caramie Perry, Breanna Akers, and KiLee Powell. She is also survived by 14 great grandchildren, brother Benny Brown and his wife Sue; many cousins, nieces, nephews, and dear friends made along the way of a long and good life.

Family members that greeted Shirley in heaven, her parents, Norman and Opal Brown, her husband Charles Powell Sr, her sons, Charles Powell Jr, and Gerald Powell and grandson Robert Nicholas Powell and her brother Norman Harold Brown.

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures; he leadeth me beside still waters. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. Yea though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for thou art with me; thy rod and they staff they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies; thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

Visitation will be 5-7 p.m. Sunday at Baum-Carlock-Bumgardner Funeral Home. Funeral services will be 10 a.m., Monday, March 25, 2024 at Indian Creek Baptist Church with interment following at Graford Cemetery.