Myrna Powers

ELLISVILLE, Mo. -- Myrna Rae Glenn Powers, 83, of Ellisville, formally of Cape Girardeau, passed away Monday, Feb. 19, 2018, at St. Luke's Hospital in Chesterfield, Missouri.

She was born Nov. 20, 1934, in Dexter, Missouri. She was the daughter of Ray Glenn and Virgia Moore Glenn.

She went to elementary school in Dexter, Flint, Michigan and Alameda, California. She spent her first three years of high school in Dexter.

Before her senior year, she and John Powers married Sept. 29, 1951. They moved to Rosewood Heights, Illinois, when John was recalled to the Navy for the Korean War. After his discharge, they returned to Rosewood Heights, where Myrna attended Roxana (Illinois) High School, graduating in 1955. Myrna then attended Southern Illinois University in Carbondale and Washington University in St. Louis, majoring in physical education.

Myrna worked for Pilla Enterprises and Straub's in St. Louis County.

On Aug. 10, 1954, Myrna accepted Jesus Christ as her personal savior at First Church of Christian in Wood River, Illinois.

Her first and only child, a daughter named Adrienne, was born April 18, 1968. Myrna said her daughter was always a joy to her.

In January 1971, John became a dealer for Standard Oil and the family moved to Cape Girardeau. John operated Powers Amoco Station at Route K and Interstate 55 for 25 years, and Myrna served as bookkeeper for the business. They retired in 1995.

In Cape Girardeau, Myrna was a Brownie Scout leader, a docent at the Glenn House and information desk volunteer at Southeast Hospital. She served as treasurer for American Legion Auxiliary Unit 63 for 19 years, was vice president of the membership chairman of American Legion Auxiliary District 14 for two years and was District 14 chaplain for eight years. Myrna volunteered at the Missouri Veterans Home in Cape Girardeau for many years and was chosen Volunteer of the Year in 2008. She was a member of the foundation board from 2008 to 2011.

In 2016 Myrna and John relocated to Ellisville to reside with their daughter.

She is survived by her husband, John Powers of Ellisville; her daughter, Adrienne Powers of Ellisville; brothers-in-law, Chester Powers, David Powers and Dwight Powers of Advance, Missouri, J.C. Powers of St. Joseph, Missouri, and Darrell Stevens of Lake St. Louis, Missouri; sister-in-law, Doris Swindell of Salem, Missouri; extended family members, Jeannie and Scott Van De Ven of Cape Girardeau; and many nieces and nephews.

Myrna was preceded in death by her parents, Ray and Virgia Glenn; her stepfather, Ralph "Pug" Buchanan; her sisters, Melba Fern Davis, Marva Sue Stevens and Marla Wendonna Evans; her stepbrother, Herschel Buchanan; five sisters-in-law; three nephews; and one great-nephew.

Visitation will be from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday at Ford and Sons Mount Auburn Funeral Home in Cape Girardeau.

Funeral service will follow at 1 p.m., with the Rev. Casey Elmore officiating. Burial will be at Cape County Memorial Park Cemetery in Cape Girardeau.

Online condolences may be made at www.fordandsonsfuneralhome.com.