Richard Powell

Richard Coleson Powell, 72, of Jefferson City died Sunday, Jan. 30, 2005, at Capital Region Medical Center.

He was born Aug. 27, 1932, in Caruthersville, Mo., son of R.C. and Mayme Branchville Canada Powell. He was married Jan. 13, 1956, in Cape Girardeau to Dorothy Annette Jennings, who died March 4, 2000. He was married Aug. 18, 2001, in Cole County to Billie Carolyn Shaw Stovall, who survives of the home.

Mr. Powell was a 1950 graduate of Caruthersville High School and received a bachelor of science in education degree from Southeast Missouri State University in 1954. He pursued graduate studies in guidance and counseling from Southeast, and in music at Columbia University in New York City.

He served with the U.S. Army in Korea from 1955 to 1957.

A teacher with the Cooter School District for a year, Mr. Powell served 26 years with Sikeston public schools, where he also repaired musical instruments.

In 1981 he was appointed by Gov. Kit Bond as executive director of the Governor's Committee on Employment of People with Disabilities, where he served 12 years. Following retirement he owned and operated Mid-MO Ribbon Service.

He was a member of First United Methodist Church where he sang with the choir and assisted in its television ministry. He was assistant conductor of Jefferson City Cantorum, past president of Jefferson City Symphony, former chairman of the Cole County Republican Party, and a delegate to the 1996 Republican National Convention.

Mr. Powell was a member of the Senior Nutrition Center Board, Jefferson City Transportation Committee, Missouri Music Educators Association, Missouri Retired Teachers Association, AARP, Order of Elks, Jefferson City Little Theater Orchestra, and was currently serving as a senator with the Missouri Silver-Haired Legislature.

He was active in the Cotton Boll Girl Scout Council and many other civic affairs during his years in Sikeston.

Other survivors include two daughters and their husbands, Melodie A. Powell and Jerry Short of Kansas City, Mo., and Michelle and Mike Vickery of Imperial, Mo.; two stepdaughters and their husbands, Julie and Rusty Dill of Oklahoma City, Okla., Corinne and Luis Sevilla of Mansfield, Texas; a granddaughter, Madeleine Vickery; stepgrandchildren, Corey Dill, Casey Dill, Manuel Sevilla and Makiela Sevilla; a sister and brother-in-law, Sue and Joe Rouse of Gulf Shores, Ala.; and many nieces and nephews.

Service will be at 2 p.m. Friday, Feb. 4, 2005, at First United Methodist Church with Dr. Larry Gallamore, the Rev. Mark Dumas and the Rev. Chris Dumas officiating.

Private burial will be in Riverview Cemetery.

Visitation will be noon to 2 p.m. Friday in the parlor at First United Methodist Church.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to Jefferson City Symphony, 1108 Boonville Road, Jefferson City, Mo. 65109; Jefferson City Cantorum, P.O. Box 1632, Jefferson City, Mo. 65102; or First United Methodist Church Choir, 201 Monroe St., Jefferson City, Mo. 65101.

Dulle-Trimble Funeral Home in Jefferson City is in charge of arrangements.

Those wishing to send condolences or tributes to the family may do so at www.dulletrimble.com.