Mary Powers

 Mary Elizabeth Powers was born March 7, 1938, and she went to be with the Lord Jesus on Monday, May 24, 2021. She was 83 years old. 

Mary had been living with her granddaughter, April Rodgers, in New Braunfels, Texas since January of 2021. She was laid to rest at Northlawn Memorial Gardens in Dumas, Texas, on Saturday, May 29.

Mary was born at home in the country to Ellis and Carrie Tatum; the third of sixteen grandchildren of Ben and Mollie Dillingham. She was raised in Albany and Friona, Texas. 

Mary had fond memories of being part of the Fandangle and riding in the Fandangle Parade. 

She was a graduate of Friona High School. She was a longtime resident of Dumas, Texas, where she raised her daughters, Deborah and Mary Beth. She married Roy Powers May 25, 1984. They were married until Roy’s death, in January of 2006.

In 2014 Mary moved to North Richland Hills, Texas, where she lived until moving to New Braunfels in 2021. 

She is preceded in death by her parents, Ellis and Carrie Tatum; her brother Weldon Tatum, and her husband, Roy Powers. 

Her survivors include her brother, Tommy Tatum and wife Diane, of Friona, Texas; her two daughters, Deborah Rodgers and husband Dan, of Arlington, Texas and Mary Beth Mowery, and husband Michael, of Grapevine, Texas. She is also survived by five grandchildren, Aaron Rodgers of Weatherford, Texas; April Rodgers of New Braunfels; Zachary Tatum Mowery and wife Meredith, of Fort Worth, Texas; Shelby Elizabeth Westerman and husband, Tommy, of Lubbock, Texas; and Colby Mowery and wife MJ, of St Louis, Missouri. She is also survived by five great-grandchildren, Tyler Rodgers of Weatherford; Tatum Mowery, Ella Mowery, and Audrey Mowery, all of Fort Worth; and Elliot Westerman of Lubbock.

Survivors from her husband, Roy Powers, include: Cathy Evenson and husband Larry, of Harrisonville, Missouri; Jimmy Powers of Seminole, Texas; Johnny Powers and wife Michel, Seminole; Billy Powers and wife Cynthia, of Quanah, Texas; and Carol Tucek and husband Kevin, of Amarillo, Texas.

She was also survived by numerous cousins whom she continued to think of and talk about until her death.

Mary was a long-time member of the First Baptist Church of Dumas, Texas. She was a devoted Christian and participated in many efforts to share the gospel, including a mission trip to South Korea. Her life was centered around her faith in Christ. She was also an artist and passed on a love for painting and creativity to her family. PD