Sue Rouse Powell

March 4, 1923 - January 16, 2022

On March 4th, 1923. Jim and Kittie Rouse welcomed their newest and 4th daughter, Kittie Sue Rouse, into the world. Where she was born remains a bit of a mystery as there are differing stories. It might have been Mt. Vernon, Texas, or quite possibly Paris, Texas, where she, her parents and three sisters lived for her first five years, until moving to Dallas where she lived for most of her life. There were 21 years between her and oldest sister, Leita. After high school there was business school, where she learned many skills that would later serve her very well. McKesson Roberts was an employer for several years. Her typing speed was phenomenal.

She met and later married Charles Wilson, a military man, and moved to Massachusetts where he was stationed. When his service was over, they moved back to Dallas, where they owned and operated a children’s toy store in Snyder Plaza. Charlie’s heart, tragically, quit on him and the store was no more. After a suitable period of mourning, a man named “Jack”, who was friends with Sue’s neighbors, came a- courting and before long they were married. Mrs. Arthur William Powell and her new husband, Jack, went on to start Cold Type together. It was a type setting business they established in Oak Cliff. Not only did they set the type for many business catalogs, pamphlets and more, they ran several catalogue publishing companies themselves until Jack’s passing.

After Jack’s passing, she spent as much time as possible with her family. Many, many trips followed. Lots of Thanksgivings in California to spend time with her older sister Elizabeth, her husband Leonard and her nieces, Mary and Liddell. Mary and Liddell were her second oldest sister Laverne’s children. Elizabeth and Sue traveled all over the world and have so many pictures of their memories and adventures.

Sue loved to work and continued to do so well into her 80’s! She worked for many law offices, including her niece and nephew’s, Frances and Bob Maloney. There, she was invaluable as a typist on one of the first word processors. Her office was filled with the sounds of lightning-fast keystrokes and efficiency beyond measure. It was said “We could never pay her what she’s worth!”

Altrusa Club of Dallas held a special place in Sue’s heart. Her oldest sister, Leita Rouse Marsh, was a charter member and Sue followed her in 1968. She held several offices: President, 1973; Governor, Altrusa District 9 in 1982 and many, many others. Her devotion was honored when they established a District Membership Award for Perfect Attendance. Thus came a time when, if Sue asked, she was seldom refused. Such was the honor and devotion of her fellow Altrusans.

Predeceased by:

Her mother and father, Kittie and Jim Rouse

Her sisters, Leita Marsh, Laverne Dawson and Elizabeth Jones

Her husbands, Charlie Wilson and Jack Powell

Her niece, Liddell Dawson

Survived by:

Her nieces, Frances Maloney and Mary Dawson Brassfield

Her great-nephews, Laurin Marlow, Randell McDaniel and Jerod McDaniel

Never was there a sweeter and more formidable woman.

An inspiration to many and remembered by both the women and men who knew and respected her.

She will be greatly missed by all that knew her and loved her.

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