Dessie Irene (Douglas) Powell, 90, widow of Leon M. (Lonnie) Powell, formerly of Craigsville, passed away Thursday November 13, 2014 at King’s Daughters’ Commuinity Health and Rehabilitation, where she had resided the last two years. She was born in Rockbridge County on August 11, 1924, a daughter of the late James W. Sr. and Nollie (Liptrap) Douglas. She was a graduate of Craigsville High School, a homemaker and active member of St. Paul’s United Methodist Church in Craigsville until her health declined.
Besides her husband and parents, she was proceeded in death by a brother, James W. Douglas, Jr., sisters, Mamie Douglas, Daisy Lambert, Virginia Rowe and Adeline Fitzgerald and a special niece, Jean Walker.
Survivors include two sisters, Lillian D. Swisher of Craigsville and Emma Sprouse-Hevener of Churchville; nephews Larry (Connie) Swisher of Staunton; Denver (Debbie) Swisher of Churchville; Wayne (Mary) Fitzgerald of Mt. Sidney; Steven (Portia) Rowe of North Carolina; Donald (Nancy) Sprouse of Churchville; David (Jan) Sprouse of Churchville; Ashby (Mary Jane) Shanks of Maryland and Ron Shanks of Oregon; and nieces Denise (Steve) Roadcap of Fishersville and Linda (Dwight) Tinsley of Churchville. Numerous great nieces and nephews and great-great nieces and nephews and cousins also survive.
A celebration of life will be held Sunday November 16 at 3 p.m. at St. Paul’s UMC in Craigsville, officiated by Pastors Mary Pysell and Mike Herring. Burial will follow in Lebanon Presbyterian Church cemetery in Goshen. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the church. Active pallbearers will be her nephews. Honorary pallbearers will be friends attending the service. There will be no public viewing.
Memorials may be made to St. Paul’s UMC, P.O. Box 218, Craigsville, VA 24430.
The family wishes to extend heartfelt appreciation to Dr. Christopher Heck, Beth Cobb, NP and the entire staff of Kings Daughters Community Heath and Rehabilitation for their care and concern for Dessie and her family. Also thanks go to Dale Bagarus and Nina Robertson for care in her home in Craigsville, and to friends Kayla Robertson, Carolyn Fix and Doris Brown.
Craigsville Funeral Home 
DALE AND MIKE WANT TO SEND PRAYERS TO THE POWELL FAMILY.