Birth date: Apr 20, 1923 Death date: May 18, 2025
Dr. Isabelle Elva Reedy Powell, esteemed Professor of Sociology and lifelong educator, passed away peacefully at the age of 102 in Davidson, NC surrounded by family and caregivers. Born April 20, 1923, in Lebanon County, Pennsylva Read Obituary
It was an honor to be Isabelle’s friend for over 30 years. I admired her instantly at our very first meeting and my admiration for her grew even more over the years. I was always in awe at what she could accomplish with her boundless energy, while always maintaining a calming presence. She was intelligent, compassionate, kind, and strong. Whether she was fighting social injustice, signing people up to vote, or simply talking about her love of geraniums or having lunch with the girls, she did it all with style and grace. When I think of her I see her always in a lovely outfit, (perhaps in her favorite blue and yellow), with a statement piece of jewelry that accentuated her pretty white hair and twinkling blues eyes. Just the thought of that brings a smile to my face. And each time we were together, or even just chatting on the phone, she made me feel special, when she was indeed, the special one. The world is definitely a better place for having had her in it. She was a force of nature, a citizen of the world, and most importantly, my dear friend, Isabelle. I will miss her so very much.
I cherish the time we spent at Hopewell Presbyterian in our Disciple Bible Study classes . She was in at least two of the classes I taught. I always looked forward to hearing her take on the scriptures during the lesson. We sometime had different opinions but always parted with a laugh and respect for each other. She was a classy lady in every way. I thank God that our paths crossed I am the richer for it.
I spent 12 hours every other Sunday with Isabelle for 5 years. So it's hard to narrow down to just one particularly special moment with her. There were many! I loved taking her to Vespers which is The Pines at Davidson's monthly church service with communion. She always wanted a pretty shawl to wrap around her after sitting in her wheelchair. We would make our way through the halls and up the elevator to the Davidson Room for the 4PM service. Being with Isabelle always put me in a quiet reverent state anyway. So attending church service with her brought me into a deeper center with God than I have experienced with others. I feel like this centerness was facilitated by the purity that Isabelle carried. The pure sense of love, care, and admiration for certain things she saw and expressed for me and for others in her life was very centering. I believe the way she saw me has helped me to make better decisions in my life. My own grandmothers have both passed within the past 5 years. To stroll her down the hallways with her white hair both regal and angelic in appearance with her beautful shawls wrapped over her was very soecial for me. And to spend the special moments with her remembering ways of the past and telling me about it was priceless. I knew I was in a beautiful gifts of moments when I was with Isabelle when I served as one of her beloved trusted caregivers. And I will take her sweetness and all of her ways I experienced with me for the rest of my days.
