Gladie Jo Powell

She was the eldest daughter of Joseph C. Walter and Gladys Hoskins Walter. A native Houstonian, Gladie Jo graduated from both Lamar High School and Rice University. After graduation, she worked for Humble Oil Company for several years. Gladie Jo married Robert L. Powell, Jr. in 1950, and they shared their life together for 64 years. Jo and Bob made their home and raised their family in Bellaire, Texas.

She was a kind and loving person with a gentle soul, a keen sense of humor, and a strong sense of purpose. For her children and those around her, she modeled service to others throughout her life and took leadership roles with The Girl Scouts of America, The River Oaks Garden Club, and The American Heart Association. Gladie Jo was a charter member of St. Luke's United Methodist Church and taught Sunday school there for many years. She enjoyed travel, playing bridge, and entertaining for family and friends. Some of her fondest memories involved summers in Concan, Texas and Creede, Colorado or opening her home to her children's friends, her neighbors and her extended family.

Gladie Jo was preceded in death by her parents; and her brother, Joseph C. Walter, Jr. She is survived by her husband, Robert L. Powell, Jr. and their three children; Marilynn and her husband, Rick Huffman, Diane and her husband, Mike Huffman, Lee Powell and his wife, Kathy. She is also survived by her grandchildren, Melissa Huffman, Amy Huffman, Leslie Kelton and her husband Billy, Andy Huffman, Ashley Zummo and her husband, David, Carolyn Powell, and Kendall Powell. She was blessed with one great-grandchild, Chloe Huffman-Phillips. Her sister, Betty Walter Spence and her sister-in-law, Elizabeth Cowden Walter, also survive her along with numerous nieces and nephews.

The family would like to thank Gladie Jo's caregivers, Judy Martin, Alma Lyons and Vanessa Lewis for their tender and compassionate care. We also wish to thank the doctors and staff of Houston Methodist Cancer Center and Vitas hospice care givers.

A memorial service will be conducted at half past eleven o’clock on Saturday, the 29th of November in the Jasek Chapel of Geo. H. Lewis & Sons, 1010 Bering Drive, in Houston. Prior to the memorial service, the family will have gathered for a private burial at Memorial Oaks Cemetery.

In lieu of customary remembrances, the family requests contributions in memory of Gladie Jo Powell to be directed to the Houston Methodist Cancer Center, in care of The Methodist Hospital Foundation, P.O. Box 4384, Houston, Texas 77210-4384.