To my dearest Mama P. I will forever miss you and your flamingos.  You taught me alot about being a young woman growing up in the late 80's early 90's... Your love of life and laughter knew no boundaries.  And you walked throughout this life with an air of defiance.  You were going to be whomever you wanted to be and nobody could tell you differently.  Thanks for the memories and the ones we took to  New York. I still think about you atleast once a week. You had the belief that I could write and sent in my poem, which won 1st place, you changed my life for the better Mama P I'll play you in the next set of chess when I see you again.... Love always and forever!! Robin Wilkie, Mini P.

Wow.. just learned about Mrs. Powers passing,, she was one of my favorite teachers,  She made an impression on a lot of kids lives and I think we all appreciate her for it..May you rest in peace….class of 87’

A memorial event was the class party she had at her house for her students. She was special, an original, a caring, egalitarian teacher; her class was a joy to attend.  Out of every teacher, from my junior high though High school years at Northeast, she was the Best!  The book is still within, yet I'm still holding you, Ms. Powers, to be my editor in the skies.

She was a great teacher that made a huge impact in my life . I will never forget her.  Thank you for being the wonderful soul that your were.
Always, Sherry Sells Blankenship 

I wanted to pass along my deepest condolences. Mrs. Powers was a powerful influence by all shapes and measures. She made an indeleble mark on my life and I am thankful for her. I was enrolled in her drama class for the entirety of high school. I wasn’t fond of public speaking, but loved music and technology, so she assigned me to run the sound board. 

Between productions, she taught her classes how to play chess,  and better yet how to think ahead — one of the most valuable lessons in life. I still play to this day, and went on to teach my daughters the game. 

During our senior class trip for broadway shows, she made it a point to introduce me to a former student who at the time worked for a record label, and I was in awe. 

She showed me and so many others the possibilities. I too went on to a career in the music industry and technology.

Words cannot express how deeply sorry that I am for your loss. I wanted you to know how special and incredible Mrs. Powers was as a teacher and mentor not only in the classroom, but in life. 

With deepest regards, 
Marcus

So sad to hear. She was one of the few teachers who would lift up the students who needed it most. She could tell when we had lost confidence or struggled in the hell that was high school. She  was willing to listen and work with us. The world has lost an amazing woman.

WHAT   A  SWEET  LADY   WE  WILL MISS YOU.  
                                    CLASS  OF 76



I was so sad to hear of Mama P's passing. She made such a huge impact on my life. She helped me to overcome so many obstacles while I was in school. I struggled with low self-esteem, after being bullied for several years. She helped me to find my inner self, stand tall, and be proud of who I was on the inside. I will never forget her, and the amazing person that she was. My deepest condolences to the family. 

Mama P was everything you could want a teacher to be. She truly cared about her students as a teacher and a humanitarian. Although I only had her for one year of drama in high school I remember being a Lollipop Kid in the Wizard of Oz and even though it was a small part she made me feel like it was the most important part. She instilled confidence in people that truly had none. She was born to teach and had a passion that will live on in everyone whomever knew her. May she rest in peace and her family find solace in such a difficult time of loss. Prayers for all.🙏🏻♥️ 

Derek Simmerman - Class of 92 NEGH



My Favorite High School English teacher 
RIP Mrs Powers will be missed 



Ken Paris 
Northeast High 
Class of 79

She left such a profound effect on everyone she met I can imagine, but mostly her students. She was my teacher at a very rough time in my life and she wouldn’t let me give up on myself, no matter how hard I tried. She was understanding, kind, generous, and unlike anyone else in the world. She will be greatly missed and my heart goes out to her family & friends. 

She was one of a kind, in a real good way.  I had her as a teacher and have forever memories as a result.  She will never know how many lives she made an indelible impact upon.  
Lonnie Albright
Class of 1974

Mama P....what can I say that I'm sure hasn't been said by others many times over. You were one of the most amazing people I ever met. You taught me so many things in the late 80's and early 90's, and were one of the 2 people who convinced me not to throw my hands up and walk away. Thank you for all that you were, all that you gave so selflessly, and for touching so many lives... including my own. The world will be a darker place without you.

Mrs. Powers was the best teacher ever.  I learned so much in her class.  I have so many fond memories.  I was thrilled when I was able to reconnect with her on FB. 

46 years later and I still have fond and vivid memories of Mama P.  She taught in a time when teachers like her made our school very special.  We learned much more from her than just plain old English.  There is no telling just how large the spoon collection became over the years.  Godspeed Mrs. Powers!

My sympathies to all that loved Mama P.
She was positive force & mentor to me during my high school years. She made a huge difference in many lives! 
Kimberly Morrison McClintock, '78

Mrs. Powers was my High School English Teacher, in addition she organized the National Forensic League. We traveled to compitions across North Carolina. For this learned so many useful skills that I continue to use today. Mrs. Powers was one of those teachers who touched the lives of her students. She will be missed but long remembered.
Marcus Kindley
Class of 1973
Northeast High School


I am very sorry to hear of Mrs Powers passing.  She was loved by so many that had the pleasure to have her as a teacher as well as the ones that didn’t.   She had a cactus 🌵 plant she named “spot” my senior year “1977”.   Spot was dying so she allowed me to take him home to help him.  After replanting “Spot” and not watering him for a few weeks, I returned Spot back to the classroom with clear instructions not to water him every day.  At the end of the school year, she gave me “Spot”.  This was the beginning of my love for plants.  

Prayers for the family during this difficult time.



Mama P- you were one of my most favorite people ever and you will be missed. Thank you for being so wonderful.  I will cherish the memories forevermore. 
Heather Sykes Fields 
NEHS Drama Student of the Year 1988 

My sincerest condolences Steve and family.  I treasure the memories of our times together at Northeast. Their "token eccentrics" as she referred to us. I have felt badly that we grew apart in later years but happy that we reconnected on Facebook.  May she rest in peace, rise in glory, and may light perpetual shine upon her.
John (Señor)

As a child I grew up knowing her as "Cousin Bek" and my children knew her as "Aunt Bek".  Although she and Steve never became physical parents she was a big sis or Aunt to all she met. A true red-head she was unique and creative, willing to physically and mentally exhaust herself for others. She had a giving spirit and truly loved people.....ALL people but held a special regard for those of us who were lucky enough to be related. She will be missed by all who met her but more important she will be remembered! Till I see you again.... 

Notes of love for time and guidance given 

With love and respect. Thank you for helping me find my voice and step out of my shell.
Former Power’s Player

When I think of my very best memories of high school, Ms. P. always comes to mind.  She single-handedly gave me the self confidence to take risks in both drama and debate; I really didn’t have a club or belong to a team in high school; because of her individual awareness and guidance, my parts in theater and debate built my self confidence and my sense of belonging tremendously.  I’ll never forget being Miss Adelaide, in Northeast’s first musical.  Her passion, heart for her students, as well as her no-nonsense approach, left a lifelong impression on me, and I know so many other students.
I’m deeply sad that she has passed, but her legacy will carry on within me forever.

That look - just like in this photo. :) That voice! Those overalls. The newsboy cap. And, over and over again, that enthusiasm - the genuine drive to bring out the best in her actors and her writers, her journalism students. The longtime, deep, life-changing connections she made with so many, for so long. What a gift to have a teacher like her at our school - countless lives were brightened by her influence. She will indeed be missed.

Becca Powers was one of my most influential teachers.  For three years I practically lived in Room 102 at Northeast Guildford High School.  We were called the Powers Players, and we wore that name with pride.  I learned stage craft from her, and how to project when I speak, and I'm still using those skills.  We fought a lot; she knew better than me, but I was 17 and cocky and had an answer for everything.  We may have been a little too much alike, and so we'd literally yell at each other... in public.  She would banish me to the hallway, and I would storm out, but when she came out with me, the conversations changed to tones of respect.  She was masterful at knowing which lines to hold and where to give in just a little.  So many of my old friends share with me in our memories of her.  She impacted my life substantially.  If you knew her at all, this comes as no surprise to you.  Thank you Ms Powers.

OBITUARY

Rebecca Laughter Powers

January 29, 1947 – August 26, 2023

McLaurin Funeral Home & Pinecrest Memorial Park

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