Ellen Powell
January 21, 1922 — July 28, 2011
Mrs. Eva Ellen Swindell Powell, age 89, was born January 21, 1922 to Robert Luther and Lobedia Johnson Swindell, in White County.
She passed away on July 28, 2011, at Life Care Center in Sparta.
Mrs. Powell retired as Food Services Director for the White County School System in 1985 after a career of over 30 years with the system. She was a member of Central Church of Christ in Sparta where she taught Sunday School for many years and was very active in the Prime Time Group.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, William Barnett Powell Sr.; son, Ronnie Powell; daughter, Cathy Tongate Frye; sister, Mattie Ruth Smith; and brother, Luther "Monk" Swindell.
She is survived by sons, Donnie Powell and wife, Robbie of Cookeville; Bob Powell and wife, Jamie of Brentwood, TN; and Barnett Powell, Jr. and wife, Glenda of Meridianville, AL; twelve grandchildren, Ryan Powell, Megan Thompson, Philip Powell, Tricia Zongor, Jackie Wilkerson, Jennifer Naylor, Jason Powell, David Tongate, Adam Daniels, Kim Hickey, Allen Lane and Amy Melton; and sixteen great- grandchildren. Many nieces and nephews also survive.
The family will receive friends at Thurman Funeral Home on Saturday, July 30, 2011 from 5:00 pm until 8:00 p.m. Funeral service will be Sunday, July 31, 2011 at 2:00 P.M. at Central Church of Christ, she will lie in state one hour before services, with Bro. Don Burns officiating. Interment will follow in the Highland Cemetery. At the family's request in lieu of flowers please make a Donation to the Ronnie Powell's Youth Recreation Fund in c/o Central Church of Christ, P.O. Box 443, Sparta, TN 38583. Please sign the guestbook at www.thurmanfuneral.com
Thurman Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.