Brenda Powell

By Taylor Massey, 01/12/22 7:34 PM

Brenda Olivia Garrett Powell was born to the late Clark and Dorris Garrett, in Texarkana, TX on March 12th, 1954. She spent her childhood there creating wonderful memories with her family and her infamous Great Aunt Georgie. She was a proud Texas Tiger and graduated from Texas High in 1972. Many years later, Brenda would attend Henderson State University where she graduated in 1992 with a degree in education, which would become her wholehearted passion for 24 years.

Brenda was blessed beyond measure with a large family that loved her to “infinity and beyond,” as her grandsons loved to say. She married the love of her life, Terry Powell of Hope, AR, on May 17th, 1975. Together they created a beautiful family of 5 and would have celebrated 47 years together this year. She was an amazing wife, but an even more amazing mother. She would stop the world for her children and move mountains to heal a broken heart, help in a time of need, or love when they needed to be uplifted. She taught them to love the Lord and always look to Him for guidance in all aspects of life. She was so proud of her children, but little did she know, her children were even more proud of the mother they were blessed to have.

Brenda was a devout Christian and worked tirelessly to grow her spiritual relationship with God every day. She was a true example of God’s unconditional love and let that love pour into her career as a teacher. She loved her students and felt it her responsibility to encourage them as she strived to create new and inventive ways to make learning a lasting and exciting experience. She touched thousands of lives in her career which was one of her greatest accomplishments.

Of all her accomplishments, her most beloved was gaining the title of “Mimi” to her 6 grandchildren. They lit up her world and she made everything magical to create such wonderful memories for each of them. She showered them with love and made sure that each child knew that he or she had a special place in her heart. There is no greater love than a Mimi’s love and her grandchildren will forever have the memories to prove it.

Brenda may have left this world for her heavenly home, but we rest in the assurance that she is eagerly awaiting the arrival of her fiercely loved family. Her husband Terry, her daughters Jennifer Tyree (Tanner Tyree) and Kimberly Paladino (Andy Paladino), her son Colby Powell (Anna Lee Powell), her grandchildren Olivia and Leah Tyree, Beckett, Bennett, and Sebastian Paladino, Patton Powell, her brother Gary Garrett, and nephew Chad White.

A visitation will be held at Brazzel/Oakcrest Funeral Home on Friday, January 14th from 5-7PM with her services following on Saturday, January 15th at 11AM. There will be a burial to follow at Central Cemetery on Highway 29 S.

Funeral arrangements under the direction of Brazzel/Oakcrest Funeral Home of Hope, Eddie Brazzel, Director. Online condolences: www.brazzelfuneralhomes.com