Funeral services for Nancy Marlene Walters Powell, 82, of Livingston, Texas, will be held Wednesday, July 8, 2020 at 2:00 p.m. in the Cochran Funeral Home Chapel in Livingston, Texas with Brian Waddell officiating. Interment will follow in the Davis Cemetery in Big Sandy, Texas. Visitation will be held Tuesday, July 7, 2020, from 5:00 - 8:00 p.m., in the Cochran Funeral Home in Livingston, Texas.

Mrs. Powell was born October 17, 1937 in Corpus Christi, Texas, to parents, Charles Leonard Walters and Gertrude Lorene (Shelton) Walters, and passed away July 5, 2020 in Livingston, Texas. She is preceded in death by her parents; husband, Therrell Powell; brothers, Nelson Sharpe and Gerry Walters.

Nancy graduated from high school in Kingsville, Texas and began her studies that led to a career in education at Texas A&I University. She eventually graduated from California State at Fullerton. Upon a relocation back to texas, she began her teaching career in Helotes, outside of San Antonio, at Helotes Elementary School. Nancy was a dedicated elementary school teacher in Helotes for nearly 20 years.

She was active in the United Methodist Women of her church in Helotes, involved in providing presents for children at Christmas at the Wesley Center in San Antonio, and a regular participant in the activities, especially the Scrabble games, at Casa Helotes, a senior citizens' center. Nancy was also a proud member of the DAR in San Antonio, until her move to Livingston, where she promptly transferred her membership.

She was an avid reader, with a book or three near at hand. Bookcases in her Helotes home filled to overflowing have given way to more bookcases in Elaine and Steve's home in Livingston. She was always able to recommend titles for reading and catch people up on popular authors.

Besides managing her own rescue center at her home for a loved menagerie of cats and dogs from her neighborhood, Nancy aided animal rescue centers with cash and food contributions.

She enjoyed playing Canasta, Scrabble, and other word games. In 1987, Nancy was a winning contestant on the favorite television show, Wheel of Fortune! Nancy enjoyed traveling worldwide with her husband, Therrell, and later, traveling around the southern states with her sisters, and taking cruises with her children, grand and great grandchildren, even as recently as February in the Caribbean.

For years the family gathered at Nancy's home for Thanksgiving dinners. Nieces and nephews still recall taking walks - and driving - around the neighborhood after the meals. Even in later years when we gathered at someone else's house for the meal, laughter and talking could be heard from any room in the house. Nancy loved her family and loved sharing her smile and laughter with all who were close at hand.

Nancy's presence will be greatly missed but the treasury of life-long memories will hold her close to all of us.

She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Elaine and Stephen Bailey of Livingston, Texas; daughter, Leslie Powell and Michael of Austin, Texas; son and daughter-in-law, W.T. "Terry" and Lori Powell of San Antonio, Texas; grandchildren, Rochelle Bradley and Marshell, Ricky Proctor and Rhonda, Shannon Bailey, Allen Bailey and Penny, R.W. McDonald and Alex, Zack McDonald and Kylie, Austin Scirratt, Allison Kopiasz and Nick, Grant Powell; 14 great grandchildren; sisters and brothers-in-law, Doris and Ernest Franke, and Beth and Gilbert Franke; and sister-in-law, Fran Sharpe; along with numerous other relatives and friends.

In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made to the Polk County SPCA.

Pallbearers: Ricky Proctor, R.W. McDonald, Zack McDonald, Grant Powell, Nick Kopiasz, Allen Bailey

Cochran Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements. Please sign our online guestbook at www.cochranfh.com .