Psalm 127:3 says, "Lo, children are an heritage of the Lord: and the fruit of the womb is his reward."

On June 2 1925, Mother Ida Mae Powell was born to the late Johnson Morris and Abbie Shankle Morris.  She was the youngest of three children.

Proverbs 22:6 says, " Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it."

She attended school and church in Liberty Community – which at the time was called Liberty Hill.  This is where she met her future husband James Monroe Powell who was called JM by his family and friends.

Ephesians 5:31 states, "For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh.

On June 3, 1944, Ida Mae Morris and James Monroe Powell were married.  They continued to live in Liberty Community and worship at Liberty Baptist Church.  To this union 6 children were born - Rosetta, James, Jr., Lillian, Douglas, Bonetha, and Jacquelyn.  One child, James Monroe Powell, Jr. preceded her in death on May 4, 1992, at the age of 42.

She and JM had been married for 55 years when he passed away in 1999.

Jeremiah 29:11 reminds us of God's plan, "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

As the years went by, Ida Mae Powell worked with her husband to open a business – Powell's Cleaners.  It was located next to their home.  While he focused on dry cleaning the clothes, picking up, and delivering; she did alterations using her skills as a talented seamstress, and made sure she was there to provide great customer service to all who came to drop off or pick up their dry cleaning.    She did all of that while maintaining the needs of the household next door – cooking, cleaning, and meeting the needs of their children.  She would always stress the importance of getting an education to her children.  She wanted to ensure that their future would be great.   When asked about working at the cleaners, maintaining the household as well as the many other jobs she did to make extra money to include making clothes for others, pressing neighbors' hair or even driving people to town who didn't have transportation, she says, "I did whatever I could do to help make ends meet because times were hard. But, we made it."

Proverbs 31:10 and Proverbs 16:3 sum up Mrs. Ida M. Powell.  They read - "Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies" and "Gray hair is a crown of splendor; it is attained in the way of righteousness."

Ida Mae Powell lived to the golden age of 95.  She lived a great life and reflected upon all that which allowed her to see God's grace and mercy shine upon her.

To cherish her memory, she leaves four daughters Rosetta Smith (Odell – deceased) of Magnolia, Texas; Lillian Clemons (Russell) of Austin, Texas; Bonetha Christopher (Gregory) of Newton, Texas; and Jacquelyn Armwood (Alonzo Tyrone) of Sugar Land, Texas; one son Douglas Powell of Albuquerque, New Mexico.  She leaves four granddaughters: LaShonna "Angela" Sells, Rotasha Moore (Sabastan), Deidre Dickey (James), and Angelica Christopher.  In addition, she leaves five grandsons: Charles Curtis Sells (Ychacka), Edrick Smith (Alexsia), Christopher Sells, Gregory Christopher, II and Jameson Christopher. Ida also leaves one sister, Earnie Mae Cheetam of Anaheim, California.  Eleven great-grandchildren – Haleigh, Brooklyn, J'leah, Aiyanah, Miyah, Lailah, Korey, Breahna, Karrah, Kourtlynn, and Zarreah will treasure her memory.  She also leaves one brother-in-law Cecil Edward Powell of Newton, Texas, one goddaughter, Bonita Kay White and a host of nieces, nephews, relatives, and friends.