Ruth Powell

Ruth Dawn Powell: A Life Well Lived

Ruth Dawn Pearson Powell passed away on June 30, 2015, at the age of 93, in Indianapolis, Indiana. That Tuesday morning, she transitioned from her earthly life to being "away from the body and at home with the Lord." (2 Corinthians 5:8)

Born in 1922, Ruth grew up in the Pike Township farmhouse where her mother Iva was born and raised. Ruth was a farm girl, familiar with cows, horses, sheep and chickens. Actually, she was too familiar with chickens, as she never ate it again for 75+ years because of distasteful memories of killing and plucking chickens. Ruth was the second daughter of Herb and Iva Pearson. Her younger sister Virginia now lives in Columbia, SC. Her older sister Hope Caroline died at age 2 before Ruth was born.

Bethel Methodist Church was where Ruth's faith had its beginnings. She later was a member of Windfall Christian Church. For over 50 years Ruth has been a member of Traders Point Christian Church, beginning when it was still a white clapboard country church on the banks of Eagle Creek, and through its continued growth into the large dynamic congregation of today. For several years she was their choir director and song leader. Her faith and trust in the Lord, while quiet, ran deep.

Ruth graduated from New Augusta High School (later Pike High School) in 1940, where her mother had graduated with the class of 1905, and her daughter and son in 1976 and 1978. She played piano and was an excellent trombone player. Ruth then majored in music education at the Jordan Conservatory of Music (part of Butler University,) graduating in the class of 1944. A young Army veteran from Florida, Richard Powell, convinced her to marry him in 1948. That fall the young couple moved an hour north of Indianapolis to the small town of Windfall where Ruth taught from 1948 to 1964. Windfall School housed grades 1-12 in one building; Ruth was the entire music department, teaching elementary music, as well as junior high and high school band and choir. She also directed operettas, led the pep band, and took her students to many solo and ensemble contests and marching band contests, where her talented students consistently won many awards.

While living in Windfall, Ruth and Richard had their two children, Deanna Dawn (1957) and Richard Raymon (1960.) The Powell family moved back to Pike Township in 1964, where they built a home on two acres of her parents' farmland. Ruth then taught elementary music at Zionsville, finally retiring in 1986 after 44 years of teaching. Ruth encouraged and supported her children's' education and activities. Ruth loved attending the State Fair Marching Band contests, especially during the years when son Rich was in the Pike band, playing the same trombone she had played years before. She loved to sew and knit, and had exhibited her work at the State Fair many times. Deanna followed in those footsteps, exhibiting baking and sewing projects for many years, with Ruth as her "chief dishwasher" as Deanna baked several dozen different items for the fair.

Ruth and her sister Virginia married men from Florida and North Carolina, resulting in frequent trips to the South in the 50's, 60's, and 70's. Hot and humid car trips with two children in a non-air conditioned car were the summer vacation routine.

In time, three grandchildren came along. Deanna took in a young girl, Samantha, who became her adopted daughter. Rich and his wife Summer adopted Jonathan from Louisiana, followed soon by the birth of Gabriel in Seattle. Later, Samantha gave Ruth two precious great-grandchildren, Quinton and Kylie Dawn. Ruth loved and delighted in all five of these children. Ruth and Richard enjoyed a long, contented marriage. As Richard's health began to fail, Ruth spent increasingly more time caring for him, with never a complaint. Ruth and Richard were married nearly 53 years before his death in 2001.

Ruth was a longtime fan of high school and college basketball, frequently attending Pike High School games into her mid-80's. She was a fan of Butler, IU, and the Pacers. One might say she suffered moderately with Hoosier Hysteria. Ruth was also a life-long avid reader and always completed the daily crossword puzzle. Animals brought Ruth pleasure throughout her lifetime. There were usually dogs and/or cats in the family. Her last special pet was 17-year-old Bethany cat, who spent many hours curled up contentedly on Ruth's lap. Ruth was a member of the Indiana and Pike Township Historical Societies. She was also a member of the Mayflower Society, honoring her ancestor John Howland who was a passenger on the Mayflower in 1620.

Ruth Powell lived 93 years, years that were filled with faith, family, teaching, and traveling. Her later years brought challenges, which she faced with quiet strength, perseverance, and grace. She is now free of all infirmities, with a mind that is clear. She was certain of heaven, not because she was good, but because of God's grace through her Savior, Jesus Christ.

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Memorial gifts may be made to Traders Point Christian Church or Windfall Christian Church.

(For a much fuller version of Ruth's life story, please contact Deanna at deanna5560@live.com)