Judy Daniel Powell, 73, of Waco, passed away Friday, April 14, 2017 at Baylor Scott & White Medical Center in Waco.
Visitation: 9:00 a.m. Wednesday, April 19th at Lake Shore Funeral Home.
Memorial Service: 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, April 19th at Lake Shore Funeral Home.
Judy was born September 14, 1943 in Baytown. She graduated from Conroe High School and later earned an education degree from Sam Houston State University where she was Miss Sam Houston. She also competed in the Miss Texas Pageant and was voted Miss Congeniality by her fellow contestants. Judy taught science and English for several years in the Mexia ISD. She raised her children in Mexia and later moved to Waco when they were grown. Judy lived in the Waco community for 13 years and was a member of Church of the Open Door. She retired from a long career as a school teacher with the Waco Independent School District in 2017 having taught English at GL Wiley campus.
She was preceded in death by her father, Gerald Daniel; and her mother, Polly Daniel.
Judy is survived by her husband, John David Powell of Waco; daughters, Shanna Mott and husband, Lee of China Spring and Cherish Hermes and Andrew of China Spring; sons, Thad Wilkins of Huron, Ohio and Trent Wilkins and wife, Jenny of Dallas; grandsons, Chase Hermes, Trevor Mott, Cody Mott and Jacob Mott all of China Spring; and granddaughters, Drew Hermes of China Spring and Tanner Wilkins of Huron, Ohio.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial contribution in her memory to www.e3partners.org
Lake Shore Funeral Home & Cremation Services
Place of Service: Lake Shore Funeral Home , 5201 Steinbeck Bend; Waco, TX 76708
Print Obituary & Condolences
Prayers are with the family. I am so sorry for you loss
Thank you
Thank you!
Cherish, Shanna, Trent and Thad
Sending our deepest condolences to you and your family. God Bless❤️
Thank you Pam, Peggy, and all! We appreciate the prayers and all you have done for us in this time. We grieve as humans, but rejoice in the spirit as she is now with Jesus forever!
Thank you so much — you guys provided a blessing at just the right time. He food y’all brought over on Friday was just what we needed on a very difficult day. God’s timing is always perfect. Much love! ❤️
Thanks so much. You guys have been a true blessing with your kind words and deeds. The food you guys brought over was definitely just what we needed during this difficult time. I
Cherish and Shana,
I’m so sorry for the loss of your mom. I had planned to come see you guys this week, but God has His plan and needed our cheerleader in Heaven now. She’s been on my mind a lot now because of her health, but also because my angel is old enough to cheer now. I have many wonderful memories with her. There are few who give so tirelessly of them selves to the students they mentor. She will be greatly missed. Please let me know if you need anything. It goes without saying that you are in my prayers…..
Thank you! We appreciate all the kind words and prayers.
Thoughts and prayers for the family. She was a wonderful teacher.
You chose a perfect photo of your mother. What a beautiful gracious woman! We will miss her, but will see her again. Praying for comfort and peace for you all.
Such a beautiful lady, inside and out. She will always hold a special place in my heart. May God wrap His loving arms around Judy’s family during this difficult time and give them comfort.
Cherish, so so sorry for your Loss. She is with our savior and out of pain. You and your brothers and sister will miss her but she is at peace.
Love you all, Gerda
So sorry for your loss.. prayers for you all… the pic of her is so cute!! God bless y’all!
So very sorry for your family’s loss.
I am so sorry for your loss! Love and prayers for all of your family!
Cherish
Your mother was a great person and her dedication to teaching put her as one of the best. She endured me twice as a student and influenced me greatly not only as a student but as a person. Remember she will always be with you and your family, God Bless and praying for comfort and peace for you.
Never spoke ill of anyone and saw good in everyone. We weathered a lot of storms together and I will never forget my friend. See you later. An angel for sure✝️
As an angel she walked this earth and returns to her heavenly home,,
so true of Judy,
the memories,
the prayers
the love she gave unconditionally to each of us,
we will love you eternally.
to all who loved her ,her light forever shines!!
Angels are always with us..
The Powells
The Tapps
The Grahams
and all the extended family.
My thoughts and prayers are with you all at this time of loss. The picture is beautiful and just the way she want us to remember her with that smile (and great hair). I know she endured a lot during her treatments and spoke so wonderfully of her children being her rock during all of that. MSSLC Chaplaincy Services department will keep you all and J.D. in our prayers.
Prayer’s for the Family.
It’s taken me awhile to be able to sit down and write this. Your mother was more than my teacher or cheerleading coach, she was my other mother. She was the mother there for me when my own was traveling to see my dad, and I always knew she would have my back. The lessons she taught me and the support she gave me through the years will never be forgotten. The things she did for us, like hiding in the back seat under a blanket while we drove the “drag”, will never be forgotten. We may have had to talk her in to things, but she was normally always willing. Your family is always on my mind and in my heart and I would give anything to be able to be there with you all tomorrow. Please remember that she is no longer in pain and is your biggest angel cheerleader in heaven. I love you all and will be praying for peace and comfort as you lay her to rest tomorrow.
Thank you so much Shannon!!! She loved you so much and so do all of us. Miss you
I love and miss all of you too!! I will see you soon!!
The 1962 Conroe High School classmates of Judy are deeply saddened. She was always our class sweetheart and shining star. We will never forget her. Our thoughts and prayers are with J. D., Buddy and all of her family.
It saddens my heart that Mrs. Powell has moved on from her mortal body, but it gives me great pleasure to know that her beautiful spirit has flown up to the upper room to be with Jesus. Family, you have my greatest heartfelt sympathy, but just know that she’s now walking all around the beautiful streets of gold in her heavenly home. God opened up the “Pearlie Gates” just for her and said, “Well done My Good and Faithful Servant, Well Done!” She’s gained her beautiful white robe and her golden crown. She’s now having a great celebration with the Lord………………….. The Angels in heaven were there, rejoicing and singing in the heavenly choir, waiting to welcome a beautiful Angel home.
Know that I’ll miss her presence, but “Mrs. Powell” will never be forgotten. Her beautiful and humble spirit will live on in my heart forever……… A faithful and loving co- worker Tanya McCloud
Shanna, Cherish, Thad and Trent,
So sorry for the loss of your Mom and as you all know a very special lady.
God has a special place for her and she is no longer suffering. Remember
all that she taught you and remember the good times you all enjoyed together.
May God grant all of you the peace and comfort that you need.
Bob and Elaine Bowling
So sorry for your loss. Such a sweet person.
Proverbs 31:10, 28 KJV “Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies. Her children arise up, and call her blessed…”
A group of friends who attended Conroe High School with Judy traveled to Waco for her funeral on Wednesday, April 19. It was an occasion to honor her and to celebrate her life, a life that touched many in a very positive way.
Her four children each spoke and shared favorite memories of a life well spent.
Shanna read a letter from one of Judy’s students. Her favorite memory was when she got her hardship driver’s license at 15, Judy would lay down in the back seat of the car so she and Cherish could go cruising down the drag. She didn’t want them to go alone, but also didn’t want to embarrass them by her presence on their maiden voyage of a time-honored rite of cruising passage.
Cherish read another letter from a student and told about her mom’s crazy driving habits and about a trip to Dallas for cheerleading competition when she had no clue where she was going and rolled down her window to ask for directions. The man told her she wasn’t in a safe area for rolling down her window but nonetheless gave her the directions she needed and they got to their destination safe and sound.
Thad read a beautiful poem he wrote that Judy had asked him to share at her funeral. He also spoke of her unconditional love for everyone who crossed her path. His favorite memory was when she went with him to a Bon Jovi concert where they both had a wonderful time.
Trent shared scripture and told of Judy’s surgery two weeks before his wedding and her promise that she would be there for the mother-groom dance. He took the dance slowly due to her condition but she then asked him to spin her, and spin her he did!
Those of us who’ve known Judy a long time recognized her in each of their stories. It was a beautiful service and Judy’s influence will live on in the lives she touched. A life well lived and well remembered is a life well spent.
May God bless those she left behind and may they rest in the peace and comfort that they will be reunited with her in the sweet bye and bye.