Nancy Powell

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, October 19, 2021 at Calvary Hill Funeral Home, 21723 Aldine Westfield Rd., Humble. Burial will take place following the funeral at Calvary Hill Cemetery. A visitation will be held from 5:00-7:00 p.m. on Monday, October 18, 2021 at the funeral home.

Nancy was born in San Diego, CA on June 12, 1941 to parents Melvin Gilliam and Ruby Lee Davis Gilliam.

Preceding her in death is her loving husband Roland Powell, son Michael Lee Powell, grandson Michael Brent Powell, Parents Ruby Lee Strother and Step-father Henry Strother, sister Flo Cagle, brother Duby Gilliam, and step-sister Anna Beth Spillers. Also numerous brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law.

She is survived by her daughter Deanna Hughes and husband Randall of Pennington, Texas, and daughter Monti Hughes and husband Bo of Huntsville, Texas. Also survived by her cherished grandchildren Kassandra Owens and husband Mike, Brandon Hughes and wife Madison, Justin Hughes and wife Ashley, John Randall Hughes, Steven Powell and wife Jeannie. Adored Great-Grandchildren Abigail, Amelia, Josephine, Loren, and Raelee. Other family include stepbrother Allen Strother, Honorary daughter Lori Powell, and numerous nieces and nephews. Nancy will be missed by her precious puppy Benny. She also had the privilege of forming many lifelong friendships that each held a truly special place in her heart, and she considered family.

Nancy grew up in Sweetwater, Texas where she met the love of her life Roland Powell at age 15 and married the handsome OU Sooner football player also from Sweetwater in 1957 when she was 16 and he was 21. Raising 3 children and moving many times during Roland’s oil field career, Nancy was a devoted mother that always made sure Michael, Deanna, and Monti were given an abundance of love, understanding and guidance. Roland traveled frequently, so Nancy often took on the responsibility of being both parents, but never failed to find the time needed to make sure Michael was able to participate in sports and Boy Scouts, Deanna with her sports and drill team activities, and Monti with needing to be chauffeured home from after school detention for excessive tardiness. She was always present at every band performance, school play, being a room-mother, and was mediator in resolving in-house teenage sibling issues. After many years of raising her children and being a devoted wife, Nancy found herself in new territory when Roland had a debilitating stroke at age 49. Nancy became his loving caregiver and was faced with the reality of needing to work. With only a high school diploma and not having any previous work experience other than being a mother and housewife, Nancy made a courageous decision to challenge herself and enrolled in Real Estate courses. She enjoyed a successful 35-year career as a full-time licensed realtor in the Spring and Woodlands area, where her passion for helping her clients gained her many friendships and respect within the real estate community. Her goal was not to make a lot of money selling real estate, but to provide her clients with honesty and integrity they could trust. Every time she left the house for an appointment, Roland cheered her on by saying “Sell Something”. He was her biggest supporter in her journey with the career, and she was his biggest support in his challenges of dealing with his stroke.

Nancy was blessed with 6 grandchildren that she held a very close and special bond with. She was not the typical cookie baking granny. She deemed herself to be called “Grandmother”, because she thought calling herself granny, mimi, or any of the traditional names made her sound old, and she was not about to admit she was old! She was a hip Grandmother that danced to “Mambo #5” with her grandchildren, dressed up as a witch and took them trick-or-treating, ordered dinner from the “Hartz chicken truck” and made her annual Christmas and Thanksgiving chocolate pies. She was quick to give her opinion and advice. She was not always known for being a patient person while waiting at a doctor appointment or for service in a restaurant, so her grandchildren lovingly teased her by referring to her to as “The Cracken” when her patience ran short. She loved to joke with them as much as she loved to dote on them. She was so very proud of each of her children and grandchildren and the adults they had become. She loved to shop with Kassandra being the only girl of the 6 grandchildren, Michael Brent made her laugh with his quick wit and his dry-humor jokes, Brandon was her soldier, always marching around and serious, John Randall was her sweet, handsome, loving youngest of the grandchildren that shared with her his dreams and ambitions, Justin was her easy going-never in a hurry kid that made her laugh, and Steven was her kindhearted hero that always gave hugs and kisses. Being an involved Mother and Grandmother was her proudest accomplishments.

Other than her love for spending time with her family, Nancy loved to paint. Many of her paintings now hang in each of her children and grandchildren’s homes as her special gifts. She also loved to garden and loved flowers. She had a knack for making things grow with her green thumb and she enjoyed her beautiful, landscaped back yard where she relaxed with her memories. She loved music and attending stage musicals downtown and loved visiting the New Orleans French Quarter. Many special “girl’s trips” over the years staying at the Royal Sonesta on Bourbon St was her favorite place where she enjoyed the food, music and the special ambiance of New Orleans. She once shared that when she passed, she would love to have a traditional French Quarter funeral with dancing and jazz music following her down Bourbon St. In honor of her request, her grandchildren will escort her to her final resting place wearing their Madi Gras beads from New Orleans while Grandmother’s favorite tune Mambo #5 plays.

Nancy and Roland shared a true love marriage of 52 years and even though the vow of “to death do us part” came in 2009 when Roland passed away, Nancy had honored her love and devotion to Roland until her final breath on Saturday morning, October 9th, 2021.

The family of Nancy Powell wish to thank each and every one of her friends and relatives for their love and support.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.CalvaryHillFuneralHome.com for the Powell family.