Darnell Nelms Powell

Darnell Nelms Powell, was born on November 28, 1951. It was a Wednesday, and the weather was nice that day. The temperature on that day was around 60 degrees and sunny and the night was a low 37 degrees with a little nip in the air. Darnell was born at home, in Anacoco to her loving parents Kattie Scarbrough Nelms and Kary Nelms. She was the baby of six children and a tad bit spoiled. She was happy, mischievous, full of life, smart and seemed to always be figuring out how to get her way with her siblings and she did.
When Darnell was born her sister Jean was only 4 years old and was very jealous because Darnell took all the attention. Everyone wanted to hold the new baby and love on the new baby. This would quickly change into a friendship that would last for through the ages. They see each other through happy times and sad times, but no matter what they were always sisters and the best of friends. The kind of sisterhood and friendship to live by and learn by.
Jean and Darnell 4-EVER!!!
At the age of 14, in 1964, Darnell became saved and followed her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ from that point forward. At the young age of 14, she started studying her Bible and preaching to her siblings and would make them sit and listen. She was determined that they too would know Jesus as she did. That would become how she lived her life. At one point Darnell started a community ministry and went around teaching the gospel and praying for others. She still attended church on a regular basis and women's bible study. She praised her Lord and Savior and everyone she met could see Jesus in her.
On September 22, 1967, Darnell married the love of her life, Oliver Lloyd Powell and moved to Slagle, Louisiana, where they would live their lives and raise their family. They were married for 53 years. She was a dedicated wife and was always next to her husband's side caring for his needs. She was determined to care for her family, even if it meant sacrificing her plans. As she would say, not her plan, but God's plan.
On Monday, August 26, 2024, at the age of 72, in Many, LA, with her loving family near, Darnell heard the words she had prepared her heart for since the age of 14, "Well Done My Good and Faithful Servant". She entered the gates of heaven with a skip and a jump and shouted Glory, Hallelujah, Thank You, Jesus!
Darnell loved her family fiercely. Those left to cherish her love and memory are her daughter, Sandra Wellman (Patrick) of Anacoco, grandsons, Dylan Thompson (Kayton), Conner Wellman, Seth Wellman (Megan), granddaughter, Jade Myers (Kyle), Lauren Gill (Trent), great-granddaughters, Hadleigh Thompson, Harleigh Thompson, Hayzleigh Thompson, Kennedy Myers, Sarah Wellman, Maycee Laborde, Sydni Wellman, Madlee Wellman, and grandsons, Kooper Myers, Rylan Ballard, Gunner Gill, Gavin Gill, Riggs Gill. Sisters, Judy Jones (Marvin) and Jean Smoot (Vernon) and host of nieces and nephews. And her very special friend Freda Woodham.
Darnell was preceded in death by her husband, Oliver Lloyd Powell, son Aaron Powell, mother, Kattie Scarbrough Nelms, father, Kary Nelms, sister, Kathleen Nelms Langton, and brothers Tyrone Nelms and Clinton Nelms.
Visitation will be held on Thursday, August 29, 2024, from 10:00 A.M. until time of services at Labby Memorial Funeral Home in Leesville, LA. Services will begin at 2:00 P.M. Burial will follow at Welcome Cemetery, in Simpson, LA.
Those honored to serve as pallbearers are Dylan Thompson, Conner Wellman, Kyle Myers, Brett Wellman, Richard Smoot, Aaron Kerr, Honorary Raymond Smoot.