Rubye Nixie Powell

Rubye Nixie Powell

Rubye Nixie Powell, died on May 25, 2015, at St. Anthony’s Hospice Lucy Smith King Care Center, Henderson.  She was 95 years old.

 Nixie was born January 21, 1920, in Roaring Springs, daughter to James Garfield Ledford and Henrietta Moorefield Ledford.

She graduated, with a teaching degree, from Murray State University in 1941.

Upon moving to Sebree to teach at Sebree High School, Nixie met and married J.R. Powell.

Nixie was a true partner to J.R., not only in marriage, but also in the family businesses, Powell Farms, Powell Lumber Company, and J.R. Powell Oil and Gas. In an industry still dominated by men, she and J.R. were pioneers in the oil industry, drilling and producing prolific oil reserves, locally and across the Illinois basin. She continued to be very active in this business, until recently, when her health no longer permitted it.

Nixie attended the Sebree First Baptist Church and made many thoughtful and generous contributions to the community, church, and family throughout the years.

 She was preceded in death by her husband of 56 years, J. R. Powell, a son, James Robert Powell, a granddaughter, Gay Lynne Powell, and a grandson, John Richard Warren.

 Nixie is survived by a son William Smith (Bill) Powell and his wife Joyce Powell of Sebree, and a daughter, Jane Powell Warren and her husband George of Sebree. Six grandchildren: Suzanne Pendleton and her husband Gene of Sebree; Paula Connell and her husband Don of Paducah; Jim Powell and his wife Tina of Sebree; Scott Powell and his wife Debbie of Paducah; Emery Warren of Sebree; and, Elizabeth Warren Eblen and her husband Ryan of Louisville. Great grandchildren include: Kelly Devilder and her husband Nick of Waterloo, IL; Marcus Powell of Houston, TX; Abby Powell of Lexington; Seth Powell of Lexington; Robert Pendleton of Henderson; Jeff Pendleton of Danville, KY; Amanda Davis and her husband Jeremy of Simpsonville, KY; Reiss Bright and his wife Kelly of Louisville; Evan Bright of Los Angeles, CA; and, Ellery, Jacqueline, and Jenkins Eblen of Louisville. A great-great grandson, Tyler Devilder of Waterloo, IL; great-great granddaughter, Estelle Bright of Louisville; and, nieces, Judy Ledford and Nita Scott, also survive her.

Pallbearers will be Nixie’s grandsons and great grandsons.

Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Wednesday May 27, 2015 at the First Baptist Church in Sebree. Friends may visit with the family at the Church from 11 a.m until the time of service at 1 p.m.  In lieu of flowers, the family asks that expressions of sympathy be made to St. Anthony’s Hospice, 2410 S. Green Street, Henderson, Kentucky 42420 or to the First Baptist Church, P.O. Box 156, Sebree, Kentucky 42455.

Tomblinson Funeral Home Sebree Chapel is handling arrangements. Online condolences may be made at www.tomblinsonfuneralhome.com.                     paid