Rebecca "Becky" Powell, 80, of Denton, Tx., passed away on November 10, 2024, in San Antonio, Texas. She was born on October 5, 1944, in Ponder, Texas to James and Mallie Page.

During her youth, Becky lived in Ponder, schooling there and graduating from Ponder High School in 1962. One of her first jobs after graduation was at Morrison Milling Co. in Denton, where she met her future husband, Pat Powell. Shortly after their marriage on August 23, 1965, they moved to Lubbock due to a new job assignment with Pat's employer.

Desiring to be closer to family after a couple of years, Becky and Pat returned to Denton and Becky worked at Truett Laboratories in Farmers Branch before being hired by Turbo Refrigeration in Denton. Jobs at both of these locations required mental and mathematical skills that reflected how intelligent and quick learning she was. A dedicated and hard-working employee, she worked at Turbo Refrigeration for several years -- only leaving there after the birth of her son Jay whom she dearly loved and with whom she wished to spend more time during his younger years. As Jay grew up, she decided to work again and was employed by the City of Denton where she also worked many years. She was working in the Purchasing Department at the time of her retirement in 1999.

Becky loved to read. She also excelled at certain word games and in later years worked on numerous crossword puzzles – filling book after book with completed puzzles. Playing various card games with friends was enjoyed -- especially since it involved simply being with friends. She loved being with people.

Becky truly loved children and babies. She was so excited when able to be with each and every child in the family – and even little ones outside of the family. Even after her move to Assisted Living, when children came to visit the facility, Becky was a different person.

Although her son Jay was the love of her life, she was overjoyed at his selection of Rhonda to be his wife. Now she had the daughter she had never had, and she LOVED her daughter-in-law! After Rhonda's arrival, she now had TWO loves of her life. A close neighbor and friend recently recalled that Becky always smiled when talking about Rhonda.

She also loved her animals. She had many dogs, cats, llamas, goats, and even donkeys over the years, but she loved her dog "Rufus". After "Rufus" departed, her love was a huge yellow Maine Coon cat named "Simon" (which she may have "catnapped" from a neighbor). After "Simon" passed away, Jay arranged a meeting with an available cute long-haired Chihuahua. It was LOVE AT FIRST SIGHT by both Becky and this cute little dog -- they were inseparable. He was so close to her continuously that his name was "Shadow". "Shadow" was unable to accompany Becky when she moved to Assisted Living, and although he made the adjustment to be with Pat, "Shadow" passed away a few months ago with possibly a broken heart due to missing his loving Becky.

Perhaps the fact she was already suffering from dementia helped reduce complete realization of the terrible loss of her beloved son Jay. Otherwise, she would have been devastated.

Becky unfortunately suffered the last several years of life with a horrible disease. Regardless of what it's called (dementia, Alzheimer's, etc.), it was devastating to both her and her family. Please pray that a method of preventative care or cure is discovered in order that no one should ever have to endure such.

Becky will always be remembered as that loving wife and mother, sweet neighbor, and friend to all.

Becky is survived by her husband, Pat Powell, of Denton; daughter-in-law Rhonda Powell of Denton; sister Pat Simmons of San Antonio; and many other beloved family members including: Brenna and John Howell, Vickie and Tom Popp, Cindy, Brian, and Kaley Bonds, Chelsea, James, Brookelynn, and Tripp Sheets, and Kayce Cortinas of San Antonio; Lauren Popp of Tampa, FL; Brian, Pam, and Austin Smithers of Denton; Meghan, Bobby, Wyatt, Smith, and Davis Rosener of Dallas; Brent and Denise Smithers of Krum; Kyle Smithers and Will (Weldon) Smithers of Denton; Glen and Jan Smithers of Hutchinson, KS; Page, Dan, and Caz Wojciak of Krum; Dani Wojciak of Fort Worth; Gary James of Irving; Wayne Simmons of Arlington; Mitchell, Katie, and Lola Simmons of Atlanta, GA; Michelle Simmons of Gilmore, CA; Kathy Grant and Jim of Austin; Shelton Grant of Gatesville; Sandra and Joe Shelton, Carl and Debbie Naylor of Denton; Doug, Jamie, Audrey, Dilyn, and Gracie Naylor of Frisco; Tommy, Catie, Riley, and Reece Naylor of Krum.

She was preceded in death by her son Jay Powell, sisters Beth Smithers, Billie James, Joe Ethel Brooks, and Nan Grant, and her brother Jimmy Page.

The family will receive friends on Saturday, November 30, 2024, from 10:00 AM until 12:00 PM, at DeBerry Funeral Director's in Denton, Texas.