Marjorie Powell

Marjorie Powell, 82, passed away on October 19, 2008 at the Renaissance Care Center in Gainesville, Texas.

Marjorie was born in Gainesville on November 20, 1925, the daughter of William and Sara Phillips Stark. She attended school in
Gainesville through the tenth grade and then transferred to Ada, Oklahoma. In 1964, Marjorie received a Bachelors of Science degree and in the following year earned a Masters of Education degree from
North Texas State University in Denton.

On September 4, 1945, Marjorie married Phillip (Jack) Powell in Longview, Texas.

Marjorie began her teaching career in the 1960s, teaching at Farmers Branch, Texas; Valley View; and then at Gainesville Middle School where she retired. During her career, she served as President of the Gainesville chapter of the Texas State Teachers Association.

Marjorie belonged to both the Cooke County Republican Party, where she served as office chairman, fundraiser committee member, and precinct chairman for 18 years, and to the Cooke County Republican Women. Marjorie was a member of The Book Club for several years. She also was a member of the First United Methodist Church.

Marjorie loved the give and take of politics and the thrill of campaigning for a beloved candidate. Other passions included gardening, shopping, and most especially, aviation. In the early 1940s, she became one of the first women in Cooke County to earn a pilot’s license. She loved to remember the time she flew under the Red River bridge on a dare.

Marjorie is survived by her son John and daughter-in-law Shana Powell of Gainesville; nieces Jillian Anderson of Arlington and Karen Yeatts of Denton; brother-in-law Bud Bragg of Gainesville; and several other nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Phillip, and sisters Robbie Krey and Pat Bragg.