Georgia M. Powell

Tuesday, July 31,2018, Georgia DeRoch Powell, "Nurse Powell" passed away peacefully. She will be deeply missed, as she was a feisty, smart, funny and caring wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, great-great-grandmother, aunt, sister, and friend. Georgia was born in Sugarland, Texas to Marguerite R. Chastun and Clyde Edward DeRoch on November 06, 1925. She was 2nd born of 4 girls: Marion, Georgia, Jane, and Dorothy. She attended Bay City High School, in Bay City, Texas. She was a semi-pro softball pitcher in the 40s. After high school, she attended Rice University, The University of Houston and St. Joseph's and earned her registered nursing degree. While training as a nurse, Georgia was bussed in as one of the first responders for the Texas City disaster on April 16, 1947. It was one the deadliest industrial accident in U.S. history, and one of the largest non-nuclear explosions. In 1951, one night while making the rounds at the Veterans Hospital, St. Luke's in Houston, she met an orderly named Gene Kenneth Powell. Three weeks later, he proposed and they married on April 14, 1951. They had four children and were married 31 years until Gene's death on July 30, 1982. Georgia never remarried. In 1966, Georgia Powell was hired as school nurse for Angleton Independent School District (AISD), at a time when there was no nursing program for the district. She was the first, and she trail blazed the path for all school nurses who followed. From 1966 to 1987, she set the standard for school nursing at AISD. She worked on every campus and knew hundreds if not thousands of students by name. In the early years, she made house visits for many who could not afford medical care and many came to her home to ask for her medical opinion, get shots and she bandaged up many. Many sat at her dining room table and had a cup of coffee with her. She loved her coffee. Georgia was most proud of the nurses and aids she worked with at school. She bragged on them and loved them all. Georgia continued to volunteer after she retired, and was a strong supporter of high school band boosters and traveled with them along with her friend, Mrs. Stella Lostracco on out of town band trips including New York City, The Rose Bowl and Hawaii. On one notable trip in 1973, a bus full of students overturned on a snowy New Mexico mountain road. She was several miles behind, and took action quickly. She waved down a passing motorcyclist, who she said looked like a hippie, and jumped on the back of his motorcycle. They zoomed ahead all the traffic jam so she could reach the students who needed her help. Georgia is preceded in death by her mother, Marguerite, her father, Clyde, her 2 sisters, Marion Hudson and Jane Baker, her husband, Gene Kenneth Powell, and her daughter Anita Rose. Georgia Powell is survived by her sister, Dorothy McAda Savannah, three children and their partners, nine grandchildren, 24 great-grandchildren, and nine great-great grandchildren respectively: Gene Kenneth Powell Jr., Robin and family; James Edward Powell, Irene and family; Georgene Rene Capps, Mark and family. Visitation will be Saturday, August 4, 2018 from 2 to 5 PM at Palms Funeral Home in Angleton. Funeral services will be held Sunday, August 5, 2018 at 2 PM at the Holy Comforter Episcopal Church of Angleton, followed by graveside services. Following the graveside service, fellowship will be held on church grounds. Pallbearers will be Edward Hudson Jr., Greg Goodman, George Beacom Jr., Bernie McAda, Michael Felps, Travis Powell, Kenneth Powell, Tommy Powell. Honorary pallbearers will be Dale Pierce Jr., James Powell Jr., Gene K. Powell III, Santos Trejo, Chris Trejo. In lieu of flower, the family asks that you give to Angleton Band Boosters, ActionS, Inc. of Brazoria County, or the Salvation Army. The family of Georgia wishes to extend our sincere thanks to Palms Funeral Home, Holy Comforter Episcopal Church, Country Village Care and AMED Hospice and her neighbors on Cotharn Drive that watched and cared for her as she aged. She was truly blessed. Arrangements by Palms Funeral Home ~ Angleton, Texas 979-849-4343. Online condolences may be sent to the family by signing the online guestbook at www.palmsfuneralhome.com Provide comfort for the family by planting a tree in memory of Georgia M. Powell (DeRoch), please visit our Heartfelt Sympathies Store. Visitation Saturday, August 4th, 2018 2:00pm - 5:00pm, Palms Funeral Home 2300 E. Mulberry Angleton, TX 77515 Service Information Sunday, August 5th, 2018 2:00pmInterment Location Angleton Cemetery 328 Cemetery Rd. Angleton, TX 77515