Phyllis Renee Powell

The beautiful and sweet life of Phyllis Renee Powell came to a close on Tuesday, May 12, 2015. For 53 years Phyllis lived her life in contentment, peace and love. She dealt with bad days, obstacles, ups and downs with courage knowing that behind every dark cloud lies a silver lining. Phyllis was the fourth child born to Floyd and Mildred Lee Davis Alford, Sr., on December 30, 1961, in Monroe, Louisiana. Raised in Mer Rouge, she grew up in a home filled with an abundance of love, laughter and good times. Coming from a very large family of sisters and brothers she really didn’t need a lot of friends, but she always possessed a warm and friendly spirit. Phyllis accepted Christ as her Lord at an early age and united with Robinson Chapel C. M. E. Church under the leadership of Rev. Fred Neal. She grew up to be a fun-loving and nurturing young lady who loved children. She attended Johnson Elementary, Mer Rouge Jr. High School and was a 1979 graduate of Delta High School. She was a graduate of Northeast Louisiana University (now ULM) where she earned the Bachelors of Science degree in Business. She later moved to Arkadelphia to further her education at Henderson State University where earned the Master of Science degree in Counseling. She married Stanley Wayne Powell, Sr. on March 4, 1983 and started a family in Arkadelphia. They were blessed with two sons, Stanley, Jr. and JaKorby. Her boys were her pride and joy. She believed in getting an education and instilled in her children the value of hard work. Her home was a place of love and welcome. Phyllis possessed a strong ethic having worked the Children’s Colony, now, the Arkadelphia Human Development Center for 17 years, the Department of Human Services and lastly as a Licensed Professional Counselor at Therapeutic Family Services. She was a board member with the Arkadelphia Housing Authority. Phyllis united with St. Paul A. M. E. Church under the leadership of Rev. T. W. Scott She enjoyed the simple things life offered. As her boys grew into men and started their own families; she became the proud grandmother of Mattie Joyce and JaKya Renee. Her smile, hearty laugh and warm embrace will be missed, but never forgotten. She was preceded in death by her parents, her grandparents, Charlie and Lillie Davis, Willie and Ella Alford and one brother, Charlie Alford. Because love is greater than death, her memories will live forever in the hearts of her dedicated and supportive husband, Stanley W. Powell, Sr., of Arkadelphia, AR; her children, Stanley (Sheila) Powell, Jr., of Fort Worth, TX and Alford JaKorby (Mary) Powell of Arkadelphia, AR; two granddaughters, Mattie Joyce and JaKya Renee Powell; brothers, Floyd (Shirley) Alford, Jr., of Monroe, LA, and Andrea (Brenda) Alford, Sr., of Mer Rouge, LA; a godson, Catarius Williams of Euless, TX; her best friend Patricia (Jackie) Robinson of Bastrop, LA; aunts, Shirley Walker of Camden, AR, Wilmateen Johnson of Camden, AR and Earnestine Trimble of Camden, AR; uncles, Simmer Davis of Camden, AR, Fred Davis of Houston, TX, Johnny Davis of Milwaukee, WI, and Joe Davis of San Francisco, CA; sisters-in-law, Velma Morehead Jones of Stephens, AR, Neice Jean Davis of Arkadelphia, AR, Marilyn Poole of Arkadelphia, AR, Mattie Watson of Camden, AR, and Carolyn Mason of Camden, AR; brothers-in-law; Isaiah Powell, Jr., of Camden, AR, Jimmy (Norma) Powell of Chidester, AR, Johnny (Pasty) Powell of Camden, AR, E. W. (Ailene) Morehead of Camden, AR, Calvin (Emma) Powell of Stephens, AR, and Joe Morehead of Los Angeles, CA; special friends, Felecia Bryant of Gum Springs, AR, Linda Hill of Sherwood, AR, Cathy House of Arkadelphia, AR and Maxine Madison of Camden, AR. She also leaves an innumerable number of nieces, nephews, cousins, friends and acquaintances. Services will be at 2pm on Saturday, May 23, 2015 at Little Dee Baptist Church in Mer Rouge, Louisiana with Rev. James Toney, officiating. Interment will be on the Alford Family Cemetery. Visitation will be from 1pm- 4pm on Friday, May 22, 2015. The family will greet friends from 6-7pm at St. Paul A. M. E. Church.