Mabel Marie Powers

Graveside services for Mabel Marie (Nivens) Powers of Lufkin will be held 3:00 PM Saturday, March 1, 2025 at EMG Chapel at Garden of Memories in Lufkin, TX. Brother Jimmy Hedges will officiate. Visitation will be at 2:00 PM in the EMG Chapel prior to services.

Mabel Powers was born the oldest of three children on June 14, 1927 in Diboll, Texas to Harry and Eva Estelle Nivens, and passed away February 26, 2025 in Lufkin. She was married to her high school sweetheart, John Powers, in 1946, one month after his return from WWII, until his death in 2018. Together they raised five children while moving with John’s work to Lufkin, Palestine, Irving, Mesquite, and Tyler. They were able to return to Lufkin permanently in 1970.

After graduating Valedictorian in 1944 from Diboll High School, Mabel graduated from Satterwhite's Business School in Lufkin. She always talked fondly of her time there, but devoted her time to raising her children and helping with grandchildren as they arrived. She began her business career in the early 70s with Bert Gann Realty followed by the Governor’s Office of Traffic Safety, and eventually retiring from the Texas Department of Transportation in 1991. During the 72 years of marriage to John, they were able to travel to all 50 states, including a cruise to Alaska and celebrated their 60th anniversary in Hawaii.

Mabel surrendered her life to the Lord in 1950, and through the years was a Sunday School teacher, VBS leader, and active member of churches wherever she called home. She was a true inspiration at First Baptist Church in Mesquite when her children were young. She was a member of Lufkin’s Calvary Baptist Church for over 50 years. Mabel could always be depended on to pitch in and provide help when needed at church or at her children’s schools as Room Mother and volunteer. After moving to Pinecrest Retirement Community in 2015, she enjoyed Chapel Services there.

Mabel’s love and devotion to her family is her legacy. Her kindness to all was legendary and she was the true matriarch of the family in every sense and aspect. She is survived by her children Natalie Vike of Mesquite, Rose Anne Ellison and husband David of Plano, Johnnica Edgerley and husband Darrell of Farmers Branch, Gary Powers and wife Mary of New Caney, and Belinda Stanley and husband David of Bedford. She is also survived by nine grandchildren and their spouses, twenty-four great-grandchildren, four great- great-grandchildren; sister Nancy Vernon of Brenham TX; Brother-in-Law and Sister-in-Law Red and Doreen Powers; Brother-in-Law Bill Livingston; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Mabel is preceded in death by her husband, John Powers, her parents, and an infant brother.

The family wishes to express their gratitude to Hospice in the Pines and Pinecrest Retirement Community.