Mavis Hollingsworth Powell

1921 - 2017

Mavis Hollingsworth Powell

Mavis Hollingsworth Powell, Orange, TX native, died peacefully at home in Dallas on August 12, 2017. Born on October 3, 192, to Pearl and Ernest Hollingsworth, she is preceded in death by her parents and her husband of 50 years, Joe M. Powell. Mavis is survived by daughters Janis Powell of NYC, Nancy and husband John Bartlett of Emory, TX, and Holly and husband Christopher Wright of LA; grandchildren Shannon and husband Darbe Gosda of Houston, Ryan Wright of Mountain View, CA and Daniel Bartlett and wife Karen of Port Neches; great-grandchildren Zach, Gabrielle and Marinn Gosda, and Mikaela Bartlett.

Mavis graduated with honors from Orange High School and was married in Orange at First United Methodist Church. She and her family moved to Monroe, LA in 1948 where they lived until returning to Orange in 1959. In Monroe, The Powells helped found St. Paul's Methodist Church. Mavis served on the Board of The Junior League of Monroe, chaired major events for The Monroe Garden Club and was a member of the Board for the PTA. The Powells were members of The Bayou DeSiard Country Club. Upon return to Orange, as a member of The Historical Society of Orange, she helped found and served as the first President of Heritage House Museum. She was the first woman named to the Boards of The Orange Yacht Club and Sunset Grove Country Club. An active Board member and contributor to a variety of community organizations, including the Service League of Orange and Orange Community Players, she was a founder and first President of The Altar Guild of First United Methodist Church. She moved to Dallas in 2000, where she was a member of Highland Park United Methodist Church, Junior League of Dallas Transfer Club, Dallas Opera Association and Les Fleures Des Jeunes Garden Club. The Powells were world travelers and avid bridge players. Mavis was celebrated for her culinary and hosting expertise, and on her 90th birthday published her first cookbook: MONDAY THROUGH SUNDAY IN MAVIS' KITCHEN: A Southern Cooking Lifestyle.

Visitation will be held at Claybar Funeral Home in Orange on Friday, August 18 from 5 - 6:30 PM. Services to celebrate Mavis' life will be Saturday, August 19 at 10:30 AM in Slade Memorial Chapel of First United Methodist Church in Orange, immediately followed by graveside services at Forest Lawn Cemetery. Memorial contributions are welcome to the following in Orange: Heritage House Foundation; Orange Community Players; the Music Department or the Intercessory Prayer Committee at First United Methodist Church.