Linda Powell (Plainview)

The remarkable life of Linda Scarborough Powell came to an end on Saturday, January 25, 2014. She died at her home in Abilene surrounded by her family and friends. Linda was a vital part of the Abilene community. Her spirit of service was expressed through her passionate work in a variety of organizations. She was a co-founder of Journey Guides, a local organization to support women diagnosed with breast cancer. She served on numerous boards that related to support for women with cancer. She chaired the West Texas Book and Music Festival in 2011. Linda served on the Alumni Association at Hardin-Simmons University where she graduated in 1980. She received the Keeter Award in 2001 and was awarded an honorary doctorate in 2013 for her years of philanthropy and service. She participated in Wisdom Writers where she exercised her love for writing; and Mom’s group, a support group for mothers. She also participated in many of the ministries of First Baptist Church. All these activities and many others reflected her values of life-long learning, teaching, and mentoring. Wherever Linda lived or worked, she created a family around her. Not only was she devoted to her three sons and their families, but she also maintained relationships with friends from her college days that continued to gather for 4 decades. During her early career in Brownsville, she developed a family of friends that gathered annually for more than 30 years, most recently last week for a final visit with Linda. Twenty years ago she met and married Jud Powell of Abilene. Here she nurtured a family of close friendships through her participation in church, in the fine arts community, and in the medical community. Linda’s life began in Petersburg, TX on March 27, 1950. She was the daughter of Bob and Alice Scarborough. She graduated from Petersburg High School and then attended Hardin-Simmons University for two years. She returned to Hardin- Simmons to complete a bachelors degree in Business Administration in 1980. She later earned a masters degree in English from Tarleton University. Linda was preceded in death by her father Bob Scarborough. Those left to celebrate her life include: her husband, Jud Powell; her mother, Alice Scarborough; her brothers, Joe Scarborough and his wife, Carol, and Marcus Scarborough and his wife, Jamie; a sister, Julieana Scarborough and Gary Young; and three sons--Jerod Cole and his wife, Heather, and their children, Kayte, Kieran, and Kenley; John Dayvid Cole and his wife, Rachael, and their children Haley, and Andrew; and Brandon Cole. Her blended family also includes Jeron Powell, Johanna Weltzen and her husband, Jason, and son, Jones; and Jacob Powell. She also has many beloved nieces and nephews. Services include a visitation in the dining hall at First Baptist Church of Abilene, 5:30-7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, January 28. Graveside service will be at the cemetery in Petersburg, TX on Wednesday, January 29 at 1:30 p.m. A memorial service will be held in the sanctuary of the First Baptist Church of Abilene on Thursday, January 30 at 1:00 p.m. Linda struggled through three separate bouts with cancer, but through it all, she was not defined by her disease. Instead, she found cancer and the many treatments as opportunities to deepen her faith and understanding of the spiritual life, to learn about the disease, and to teach others and advocate for the care and support of others diagnosed with cancer. Because of this, and in celebration of Linda’s life, in lieu of or in addition to flowers, let your acknowledgements include City Lights (a First Baptist Church ministry for the homeless) at 336 Hickory St., Abilene, 79601; Cancer Services Network at 100 Chestnut, Abilene, 79602; or Eunice Chambliss House (a ministry for families of prisoners) at 2058 Marshall St., Abilene, 79605.