Paule Doris Keyes Powe

Celebrating the life of Sister Paule Doris Keyes Powe, born June 14, 1942, age 83. She passed away peacefully on August 26, 2025 at her home, in Tougaloo, Mississippi, with her loving son and husband by her side. Through her lifelong love of God, she became a passionate educator, an environmental scientist, an advocate for learning and labor rights. She leaves behind a legacy of service, scholarship, and unwavering commitment to uplifting others.

Doris was the daughter of the late Paul J. and Carlee F. Keyes of Taylorsville, Mississippi. From an early age, she demonstrated a passion for education at The Piney Woods Country Life School (Piney Woods, Mississippi) where she attended two years of college that would shape the course of her life and touch the lives of countless others.

She earned her Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree from Mississippi Industrial College in Holly Springs, Mississippi. Doris met her loving husband, Carl, in Jackson, Mississippi. They later married in 1965. She continued her studies at Michigan State University (East Lansing, Michigan), where she obtained a Master of Arts (M.A.) in Science Education and a Specialist Degree (Ed.S.) from the Mississippi Department of Education. Her academic journey culminated with a Doctorate of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Environmental Science from Jackson State University (Jackson, Mississippi)-a testament to her belief that education was not only a personal pursuit but also a powerful tool for change.

At nineteen years old, Doris began teaching high school biology and anatomy and physiology - sometimes standing before classrooms filled with students her own age. Over the next three decades, she taught at Greene County Vocational High School (Leakesville, Mississippi), Clinton High School (Clinton, MS), Murrah High School, Callaway High School, and Wingfield High School (Jackson, Mississippi respectively). She expanded her teaching repertoire to include chemistry and was a beloved figure in the classroom, known for her dedication to science education and her ability to inspire young minds. Her excellence in teaching was recognized by numerous awards and accolades including Chemistry Teacher of the Year through the Mississippi American Chemical Society, the Summer Research Associate Award, in Berkeley California, and the Good Apple Award of Wingfield High School among many, many other honors. These accolades reflect both her numerous skills and her deep care for her students.

After retiring from teaching, Doris continued to serve the educational community through her work with the Jackson Federation of Teachers (JFT) and her teaching at both Jackson State University (Jackson, Mississippi) and Strayer University (Jackson, Mississippi). As a Staff Representative at JFT, she championed the rights of educators and worked tirelessly to improve conditions for teachers across the region. In 2016, she was honored with the JFT Living Legacy Membership Award in recognition of her 29 years of service-a fitting tribute to someone who devoted so much of her life to empowering others.

In addition to her continuous pursuit of excellence in education, Doris focused on deepening her relationship with God through several intentional practices. She studied scripture and prioritized prayer through her active membership at Word of Life Church in Flowood, Mississippi. She sought community and served others as an enthusiastic participant of the Women's Ministry, a nursery caretaker, and an international missionary.

Doris embraced every role in life with humor and grace-daughter, sister, niece, cousin, aunt, mother, friend, educator, mentor, and servant of God. Her mission was always clear: to give everyone a hand up. She believed deeply in the transformative power of education because she lived it herself.

She found joy in discovering new places and embracing diverse cultures alongside family, close friends and church members. Her travels include numerous excursions within the United States as well as international trips to Ghana, Spain, Italy, France, India, Belize, Jamaica, Bahamas, Mexico and Canada.

She is lovingly remembered by her husband -- Carl J. Powe of Tougaloo, Mississippi; children -- Tahelia Powe, of Lexington Kentucky, Dr. Ginger (Corey) Redd of Greensboro, North Carolina, and Carlstan Powe of Tougaloo, Mississippi; grandchildren - Hailey Redd and T. Christian Redd; sisters -- Patricia Duckworth of Northport, Alabama and Sherry Nance of Jackson, Mississippi; special niece-daughter -- Candy Lonzo of Hattiesburg, Mississippi; lifelong best friend for 65 years whom she met at The Piney Woods Country Life School - Dr. Carriette (Clifford) Weddle of Brown Deer, Wisconsin as well as many extended family members and friends whose lives were enriched by knowing her.

She now joins in rest with her parents -- Paul J. and Carlee F. Keyes; siblings -- Connie Fountain, Gloria Locke, Willie Everette "Son" Keyes and Artie Stanley "Stan" Keyes.

True to Doris' lifelong spirit of teaching and learning, she made a final contribution to humanity through her body donation for medical research and education ensuring that others may learn and benefit from her gift. Her gift, donated to the Genesis Legacy Whole Body Donation Foundation. The family invites you to consider similar acts of generosity to research at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital (www.stjude.org) , to education at The Piney Woods Country Life School (www.pineywoods.org) or to humanity at Genesis( www.genesislegacy.org).

In keeping with her gentle spirit and deep connection to nature, her ashes will be lovingly scattered at a later time in the Mighty Mississippi River. This final gesture will be a private celebration of her journey, returning her to the flow of the world she cherished. For the family and friends, final details will be forthcoming.