Dr. Mary Louise Powell

Dr. Mary Louise Powell died peacefully at home on Friday, June 16th, 2023.
She is survived by her sister, Elizabeth Anne Trively and husband Timothy Trively; cousin Angela Sego (Rick); Nephews Winston Trively (Sher) and Martin Trively (Betsy); Grand-nephews Zane and Hunter Trively, and Grand-nieces Clare, Anna, and Mia Trively.
Mary was born July 7, 1935, in Asheville and was the daughter of the late John Kendall Wells and Beatrice Rice Wells. She was a descendant of two North Carolina pioneer families, The Hoyles, and the Moores.
Education was a lifelong passion of Mary. She graduated from Lee Edwards High School (now Asheville High School) in 1953. She attended Mary Baldwin College before receiving her Bachelor of Arts degree in Romance Language Education, a Master of Personnel Administration, and a Ph.D. in Education and Psychology from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Her love of education led her to a distinguished career as an educator at Appalachian State University from 1967 to 1995. Her numerous contributions included establishing the first interdisciplinary graduate program between psychology and management departments in North Carolina. This program offered advanced industrial/organizational psychology and human resource management studies.
She published papers and research in a variety of professional journals. Mary was active in professional societies, presenting and facilitating workshops. A highlight of her career was a Summer Faculty Fellowship for NASA at the Langley Research Center. A career-long interest in Japanese business and management led to attendance at the SANNO Institute of Business Administration in Tokyo. In 1987 she was awarded a certificate for "Incorporating Japanese Studies into the Curriculum" from San Diego State University. She was accredited as a Diplomate for Life by the Personnel Accreditation Institute. She received an honor citation from the American Society for Public Administration for her work with the ASU student chapter and was recognized by the Vice Chancellor for Student Development for significant contributions to the success of ASU graduates. Mary was named a professor emeritus upon her retirement in 1995.
As busy as she was at ASU, she did have time to meet the love of her life, Elton George Powell, also an ASU professor. They were married in 1968 and lived in Boone, North Carolina until his passing in 1994. They enjoyed hiking in western North Carolina and traveling. As Elton was a professor of French and Spanish languages, they especially enjoyed European vacations in the summer.
Upon her retirement and return to Asheville, she generously gave of her time and treasure. She was active with the National Committee for the New River and RiverLink. She was also a member of the Preservation Society of Asheville and Buncombe County and served as a co-chair of local chapters of the North Carolina Museum of History. While philanthropic in many areas, she continued her devotion to education, establishing a scholarship that will now become the Elton George Powell and Mary Louise Powell Memorial scholarship fund at Elton's alma mater, Florida Southern College. She founded the Ada Rice and Beatrice Rice Wells Memorial Scholarship Fund at Warren Wilson College. She supported women's education through the Gaining Educational Momentum (GEM) Fund of the American Association of University Women (AAUW), Asheville Chapter where the Beatrice Rice Wells Legacy Society honors those who have designated gifts to the fund in their wills.
Mary also pursued her love of socializing, group travel, art, books, and book clubs. Most of all, she will be remembered for her love of her family, friends, students, and community. She maintained abundant correspondence, never missing a holiday or family milestone. Especially enjoying family gatherings, her experiences, and engaging personality made every occasion treasured. Mary was a remarkable woman who lived a full and meaningful life and will be missed.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Gaining Education Momentum (GEM) fund of the Asheville Chapter of the AAUW, 4B Old Long Shoals Road #135, Arden, NC 28704.
Arrangements by Groce Funeral Home at Lake Julian. Interment will be at Lewis Memorial Park, 415 Beaverdam Rd, Asheville, NC 28804 at 2:00 pm on Monday, June 26th.