Barbara Reading Powell, 93, passed away Thursday, February 2, 2006, in Waco. Services will be at 1:30 p.m., Saturday, February 4, 2006, at Austin Avenue United Methodist Church, the Rev. Tom Robbins officiating. Burial will be in Chapel Hill Memorial Park.

Barbara was born in Mart, Texas, to the late John M. and Mina (Elmore) Reading. She graduated from Mart High School on May 30, 1930, and from Baylor University on May 28, 1934, with a Bachelor of Arts degree. After graduation from Baylor, she was a public school teacher in Calvert and Groesbeck, Texas.

She married Harold S. Powell on Dec. 28, 1939, in the family home in Mart. After the wedding, they lived in Ennis where Harold worked for Wm. Cameron & Co. They then moved to San Angelo in 1940 where they began their family. In 1945, the family moved to Vernon when Harold was made District Manager of Wm. Cameron & Co. In 1957, the family returned to Central Texas, making their home in Waco.

Barbara was a Cub Scout Den Mother, active in PTA, and she spent countless hours teaching her sons proper English, spelling and good manners. Barbara developed many good friendships over the years, especially in the Galaxy Club and at the Hamilton House. She and Harold also enjoyed many years of travel with close friends and family.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Harold, in 1995; sister, Leila Mae Reading Findley, known in the family as "Ditta." Barbara was known as "Bob" and as "Big Bob" to her niece, her nephew and their children.

Survivors include her sons, Bob Powell and his wife, Penny, of Austin, and Jerry Powell and his wife, Barbara, of Waco; grandchildren: Heather Jennings and husband, Star, of Austin, Hunter Powell and Beth Lezajski, of Austin, Colin and Calley Powell, of Waco; great-grandson, Jack Jennings, of Austin; nephew, Dr. John S. Findley, of Aubrey, Texas; niece, Leah Findley Stewart, of Dallas; cousins, Bill Needham and Selma Gartrell; and sisters-in-law: Evelyn Powerll, Dorothy Powell, Bonnie Powell, and Ruby Rose Easter.4793