POWELL, Marjorie Ruth

The Daily Courier, Prescott, Arizona Monday, January 10, 2011 Marjorie Ruth Dunwiddie Powell, 73, of Prescott, Ariz., returned to her Heavenly Father on Jan. 7, 2011 following a sudden illness. She was born to Donald J. and Dorothy Davison Dunwiddie in Kansas City, Kan. on Aug. 27, 1937. Her childhood revolved around her love of horses and family. She was a member of "The Rodeo Kids," a group of kids who traveled and performed at rodeos and horse shows, specializing in roman riding on her horses Bobby Sox and Dusty. Marjorie excelled in school, and graduated high school early at the age of 16 as salutatorian in Harrisonville, Mo. Majoring in English and Art, she then attended Central Missouri State College in Warrensburg, Mo. where she met and married the love of her life, Bill Powell. Their first daughter, Julie, was born while they were still in college and their second daughter, Linda, two years later. Marjorie and Bill were the true definition of a team, so as Bill's career path took him to the Veterans Administration Hospital System, and on to locations in Omaha, Indianapolis, Memphis, Muskogee, and finally Albuquerque, Marjorie became active as a volunteer in those hospitals as well. She always found ways to serve and share her compassion for people in need. After her daughters were raised, she returned to school, became a nurse and worked in Albuquerque and then in Prescott, where they relocated and began a new chapter of their life together in 1984. In 1981, Marjorie rededicated her life to Jesus Christ and together with Bill began faithfully serving the Lord at Hoffmantown Church in Albuquerque and then Willow Hills Baptist Church in Prescott. Together they served in many capacities including deacon, Sunday school directors, single parents ministry, and most recently in the Stephen Ministry. Marjorie also volunteered as a counselor at the Life Crisis Center for 15 years. Marjorie was a skilled horsewoman, and one of her many joys in life was trail riding with her beloved riding buddies. She found peace and contentment in the many lovely hours spent out on the Deep Well ranch, enjoying the quiet beauty of the Arizona mountains and countryside from the unique vantage point of the back of her horse. Marjorie Ruth will be dearly missed as a compassionate, loving ambassador of Christ. She was preceded in death by her sweetheart of 52 years, husband Bill; and survived by daughters, Julie Jenkins, Linda Kettles; son-in-law, Richey Kettles; honorary daughter Lori Wallace; honorary son Randy Goodsell; grandchildren, Jessica Kettles, Cheyenne Kettles and Sean Dolan; brother Don Dunwiddie; brother-in-law Vern Powell; nephews, Jeffrey, Robert and Dave Powell, Scott and Bruce Dunwiddie. Services are Thursday, Jan. 13, 2011 at 1 p.m. at the Willow Hills Baptist Church, 1071 Mogollon Road in Prescott. In lieu of flowers, please send donations in Marjorie's memory to either the Stephen Ministry at Willow Hills Baptist Church, 1071 Mogollon Road, Prescott, AZ 86301 or to Life Crisis Pregnancy Center, 1124 East Gurley St., Prescott, AZ 86301. Sunrise Funeral Home assisted the family with arrangements. Please visit http://www.sunrisefuneralhome.com to leave an online tribute for Marjorie Powell. Information provided by survivors.