Barbara Ruth (Miller) Powell

Barbara R. Powell

6/3/1925 - 6/18/2017

Wolcott: Age 92, passed away peacefully with family by her side. 

Predeceased by her husband, Clayton, in 2013 and four adult children:  David, John, Dennis (Lucille) and Helen. 

She was born June 3, 1925 in Flint Michigan, the daughter of Howard and Freida Esther (Latting) Miller. She married Clayton H. Powell on December 18, 1943 in her hometown. She was the mother of 14 children born almost annually over 15 years.

Survived by 10 children:  Kathaleen, Mary (Steve), Joyce (Robert), Mardy (Lawrence), Frei, Clayton (Judy), Bruce (Suzi-anne), Michael (Mary Ann), Dorothy (Arthur), and Ruth (Michael).  Also survived by many grandchildren (including two she helped raise: Frank and Amanda) and a host of great-grandchildren.

Barbara loved nature.  She had a real gift for gardening.  When the family lived in Michigan, she grew organic produce long before it was fashionable, and her plants flourished so well that even with 14 children, the family kept a farm stand.  She also helped run a chicken hatchery to supplement the family income until it burned down. Barbara recognized a wide variety of plants but was known, on occasion, to have Clay stop the car so she could examine unfamiliar plants growing on the side of the road or in the woods.

Barbara loved little children.  She usually had some grandchildren and even great-grandchildren around her well into her 70s and 80s. Many of the children remember her stories and played marbles on her hand crafted wooden Sorry board.

She taught children about wildlife using a hands-on approach.  She took in injured animals from raccoons to bats, birds, mice and snakes.  Barbara especially liked bats and would hang them upside-down on the grates in the refrigerator, where the cold would make them sleepy and easy to handle.  Children and grandchildren remember holding those bats and other small creatures at her home.  Barbara always had bird feeders and enjoyed the wide variety of birds that came back year after year to dine in her backyard.

Most of all, Barbara loved being one of Jehovah's Witnesses.  She diligently studied for and participated in meetings, even when she could only attend via telephone tie line due to health problems.  She had a zeal for telling others the wonderful truths she learned from the Bible, and found much satisfaction in being able to pioneer for many years.  She wanted to live to see the end of this old system and the beginning of the new system.  Although she missed experiencing those events herself, her strong faith in the resurrection and the promise that all will be made new brought her comfort and helped her endure the challenges of advancing age. She continued to share Jehovah’s love with others including her fellow residents and staff at DeMay in the last six weeks of her life as she hugged and spoke an encouraging word to them on her way through the halls.

She will be missed by her surviving children, grandchildren, friends and DeMay residents and staff whose lives were touched by her compassion.

A memorial service will be held on July 15, 2017 at 3pm at the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses: 12353 Tyrell Road, Wolcott, NY  14590.  Dinner reception to follow memorial service at the Wallington Fire Department: 7863 Ridge Road, Wallington, NY.

Online condolences can be expressed at www.youngfuneralhomeny.com

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