Sadie L. Powell

Sadie Lorine Powell was born in Henly, Texas, to Charles Lee and Bernice Finch Herwig on June 22, 1935. On November 24, 1950, she married the love of her life, Gordon V. Powell, Jr, in Austin. She met Jesus in heaven on November 14, 2024, at her home in Cedar Creek, surrounded by family.

As a teenager, she worked at Terrytown Drugstore at the soda fountain. She then worked at Claude Barber Cleaners where Mr. Barber became a father figure to her. In 1970 she went to work at the American Cancer Society in the mail room. She was proud of the publications they produced and distributed state-wide.

Sadie’s servant's heart led her to serve the community by teaching multiple generations of young children. Over the years she taught Sunday school and Vacation Bible School at area churches, including Baptist Temple Church, Austin Baptist Community Center, Cedar Creek Baptist Church, and Cedar Valley Baptist Church. One of her and Gordon’s greatest joys was opening their home on Sunday to their pastors and their wives for lunch and a place to rest before evening services. Sadie always assured that when two or more Baptists were together, the fellowship included food, and lots of it.

For many years she volunteered with local organizations. For twenty years, she served the Girl Scouts of America, as a coordinator, consultant, leader, trainer, and day camp director. While with the Girl Scouts she received the highest award bestowed on a volunteer, “The Thanks Badge”. City of Bastrop Mayor Tom Scott proclaimed May 16, 1998, as Sadie Powell Day, for her accomplishments with the Girl Scouts. She also drove cancer patients to and from treatment in the Austin area and volunteered at the Pat Mustoe Baptist Community Center food pantry.

Sadie had many hobbies. She loved to see annual Texas wildflowers grow in their yard and Gordon had to be careful not to mow them, or he would be in the “doghouse”. She loved to spend time outdoors, primitive camping, traveling to the mountains, playing in the Blanco River as a child, and freshwater fishing. Later in life, she continued to enjoy the outdoors, even if she had to take her oxygen with her. When she wasn’t outdoors, she was an accomplished seamstress. Her work ranged from making skirts and blouses for the nuns transitioning from their habits, to wedding dresses, twirler uniforms, granddaughter’s school clothes, special occasion dresses, and hand-beaded Christmas ornaments.

She is preceded in death by her parents, three sisters; Maggie Liesman, Ruth Salge Farmer, Prudie Wolfe, four brothers-in-law; Ed Liesman, Herbert Salge, Gene Farmer, John Wolfe, and two brothers; Charles Herbert Herwig and Thomas “Tommy” Herwig.

She is survived by her husband of almost 74 years Gordon V. Powell, Jr.; daughter, Patricia “Patti” Harbers (Dwain); son, Gary Powell (Tonye); three grandchildren, Donna Thompson (Jason), Aron Harbers (Stephanie Taylor), Kelly Andrews (Wayne); six great-grandchildren, Tyler Thompson (Lillie Chastain), Katelyn Thompson, Clayton Andrews, Avery Andrews, Tanner Harbers, Harper Taylor; two sisters-in-law, Ann Herwig, Barbara Herwig; daughter-in-love Sharon Schmidt, and many nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Cedar Valley Baptist Church, 2905 FM 969, Elgin, TX 78621 or https://www.cvb.life/giveonline.

Visitation will be from 5:00pm to 7:00pm on Tuesday, November 19, 2024 at Marrs-Jones-Newby Funeral Home, 505 Old Austin Highway, Bastrop, Texas.

Funeral services will begin at 10:00am on Wednesday, November 20, 2024 at Cedar Valley Baptist Church, 1905 FM 969, Elgin, Texas with burial following at the Upper Cedar Creek Cemetery.