In Memoriam

Mavis Carolyn Russell-Powell Class of 1945

The Virginian-Pilot, (Norfolk, VA) - May 7, 2004 Mavis Carolyn Russell Powell, 76, a resident of Parsons Residential Care in Chesapeake, passed away May 4, 2004, at Maryview Medical Hospital with her loving family by her side. She was a native of Raleigh, N.C., where she was born May 21, 1927, to the late Lacy and Monroe Russell. She graduated with honors from Cradock High School in 1945. She then graduated from the very first nursing class offered at Maryview Hospital. She then completed studies at MCV whereupon she became a full registered nurse. For 10 years she served as head of pediatrics at Maryview. Of particular note is that she volunteered to work with children during the polio epidemic. She would often retell of the day penicillin was first introduced at Maryview. She described it as "nothing short of miraculous." She was a member of Trinity Episcopal Church and also a member of the Cradock Music Club. She is survived by her three loving children, Lacy Ransone Gibson and husband David Lawrence Gibson of Chesapeake, Thomas Henry Powell and Betty Anne of Chesapeake and their son, Lucas Russell Powell and James Russell Powell and his fiancee Betty Jennings of Portsmouth. She has two stepchildren, Stanley Hobson Powell Jr. and Debra from Sumerville, S.C., and Katherine Powell and her son Mark Lee Badger and Madelyn of Rockville, Md. and their three children, Charlotte, Stuart and Andrew. Other survivors include her sister, Dorothy Russell Hawkins and husband Robert of West Palm Beach, Fla.; her brother, Jasper Carl Russell and wife Patricia of Chesapeake; and many nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by her husband, Dr. Stanley H. Powell and a brother, James E. "Buster" Russell.