Susan Henley Powers, beloved Hope educator and coach, passed away in Texarkana surrounded by family, Sunday, April 5, 2026. She was born in Hope to the late Perry Hamilton Henley, Sr., and Margaret Cathryn Schulte Henley on June 16, 1957. She married Tee Powers in March 2010, and they had 16 wonderful years together. Susan was a lifelong active member of Our Lady of Good Hope Catholic Church.
A 1975 Hope High School graduate, Susan was an all-around athlete, excelling in basketball, volleyball, and track. She helped re-establish the women’s basketball program at the University of Central Arkansas in Conway and played basketball for four years prior to receiving both bachelor’s and master’s degrees there. She also served as a graduate assistant in basketball.
Coach Powers returned home to Hope in 1981 to coach seventh through ninth grade basketball, spending 40 years at Yerger Middle School and Hope High School. She continued teaching physical education, including adaptive PE for students with disabilities, and in 2017 was named HHS Co-Activities Director. In 2021, she was honored as Arkansas Conference 7-4A Athletic Director of the Year. Susan was also named Hope Rotary Club Secondary Education Teacher of the Year in 2017; and in October 2025 was inducted into the Hope Public Schools Educator Hall of Fame.
It was said of Coach Powers that she “emphasized kindness, respect and perseverance” and that her coaching philosophy was “how you play the game is what matters most,” not wins or losses. In retirement, she continued to volunteer at HHS concession stands and attended athletic events in support of all Hope Public School students.
Susan was preceded in death by her parents and by her sister-in-law Sharon Henley. She is survived by her husband; four brothers, Paul Henley and wife Dolly of Washington, John Henley and wife Sandy of Hope, Perry Henley, Jr., and wife Socorro of Hope, and Jim Henley and wife Anna of Hope; her brother-in-law Bubba Powers and wife Vigi of Hope; sisters-in-law Sheila Powers Halsell of Hope, Leila Pitts and Husband Jim of Greenwood, and Judy Swinea and husband Jim of Batesville.
She is also survived by nephews Brad Henley of Hope, Darren Henley and wife Beth of Hope, Mason Henley and wife Courtney of Bauxite, Russ Ritter of Austin, TX, Casey Lambert of Washington, Saul Hernandez of Mexico, and Bill Davis and wife Angie of Hope. Surviving nieces are Holly McKinney and husband Billy of Alma, Linda Escobar of Ft. Worth, TX, Joyce Duenas and husband Edgar of Hope, and Noel Cloutier and husband Steve of Coppell, TX.
She is also survived by her great-nephews and great-niece, Joshua, Cutter, Hazer, Bayler, and Presley Henley; a host of other relatives and many friends, including former students; and two special friends, Kathy Voorhees and Rhonda Rowe.
The family would like to thank UAMS Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute’s Dr. Tu, Dr. Montgomery, Dr. Ahmad, and staff; Hospice of Texarkana/Hope; UAMS hospital staff; and all health professionals and friends who cared for Susan.
In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Susan may be made to Hospice of Texarkana/Hope, to Our Lady of Good Hope Catholic Church or to the UAMS Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute.
Visitation is Wednesday, April 8, 5:00-7:00 p.m. with Rosary following at Brazzel Funeral Home. Funeral Mass will be Thursday, April 9, 2026, 10 a.m. at Our Lady of Good Hope Catholic Church in Hope and interment at Turner Cemetery in Reader, Arkansas.