Roberta Blair Powell

Roberta Blair Powell (Mrs. Sam J. Powell, Jr.), age 92, of Gatesville, passed away Friday, August 17, 2018. Memorial services will be 11:00 a.m., Saturday, November 10, 2018 at The Presbyterian Church in Gatesville with The Rev. Dr. Buddy Wheat officiating. Roberta was born on December 4, 1925 in Brownwood, Texas to the late R.E. Blair and Theodotia Freeland Blair.  She attended Daniel Baker College in Brownwood and graduated from University of Texas at Austin.  After graduation, she moved to Gatesville, where her parents were living.  Roberta met Sam and they were married in December 21, 1946.  She was a well-known and respected sixth grade teach in the Gatesville schools for 36 years.  She retired in 1982. She had a tremendous interest in genealogy.  After retiring from teaching, she spent countless hours searching old cemeteries and courthouse records all over the country, including the National Archives in Washington, D.C. She was a long-time member of The Presbyterian Church.She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Sam Powell, Jr.; infant son, Joe Edward Powell; sisters, Doris Denman and Eleanor Ashby. Roberta is survived by her sister-in-law, Martha Ann Yows; nieces and nephews, Marcia Frost of Parker, Colorado, Kerry Hurley of Gaithersburg, Maryland, William Denman of Mannheim, Germany, Jerry Ashby of Kerrville, Texas, Wendell Ashby of Amarillo, Texas, Randall Ashby of Clear Lake, Texas, Douglas Ashby of Prosper, Texas, James Thomas Yows, Jr. of Waco, Sue Yows Vernon of Gatesville, and Sara Yows Maxwell of Gatesville; 29 great-nieces and nephews; and 24 great-great-nieces and nephews.In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to The Presbyterian Church, P.O. Box 26, Gatesville, TX 76528 or to Alzheimer’s Texas, 7719 Wood Hollow Dr., Suite #157, Austin, TX 78731.