LOLETA K. POWELL
May 30, 1921-Nov. 25, 2016
Loleta Mae Kenan Powell, 95, died Nov. 25, 2016.
She was born May 30, 1921, in Teachey, N.C., the oldest child of seven of Arthur McKinley Kenan and Ethel Cottle Kenan. When her daddy bought a farm the family moved to the Rockfish community near Wallace.
In 1941 she graduated from Meredith College and was offered a teaching position at Princeton School that she held for 12 years. In 1953 she left the classroom and began the Powell's Iris Haven flower business that later became Powell's Gardens as she grew to love many other plants. This business continued until 2014, 59 years.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Samuel Elbert Powell, her parents, and siblings Marvin Kenan, Ann Thomas, Peggy Teachey and Bill Kenan. She is survived by a brother, A.C. Kenan, and sister, Libby Beasley.
She is also survived by children, Angela French (John Duke), Gene Powell and Monica Buchanan, grandchildren John (Candia) and David (Laura) French, Dr. Erin Ennis (Kevin) and Tyler Powell, and Kenan Buchanan Chord (Scott), and nine great-grandchildren.
A memorial service of celebration of her life will be held Saturday, Dec. 3, 2016, at 2 p.m. at Princeton Baptist Church in Princeton, with visitation following the service in the fellowship hall. She would have appreciated memorials to her church and to Meredith College.
(Pd)
Published in Obituaries on November 28, 2016 10:00 AM