Ella Bertha Farris Powell, 1926–2022
Ella Bertha “Grandma” Farris Powell left this earthly home in Idalou, Texas, on May 17, 2022, with loved ones by her side.
Bertha was born on February 20, 1926, at home, to John Loy and Mary Haygood Farris in Plainview, Texas. They moved to Roaring Springs, Texas, in 1928 when she was two years old. She attended school in Roaring Springs. She met the love of her life, Jesse Joe Powell. in April of 1943 and married him on May 9, 1943. They moved to Spur, Texas, in 1947. They raised four children together: Ella Jo, Jesse Loy, Mary Ruth, and Jimmy Wayne. They were her pride and joy! Their marriage lasted just shy of 51 years. She worked side by side with Joe driving tractors, working cows, planting crops, and harvesting, and still cared for her family. Her job titles were many, but she loved wife, momma, grandma, great-grandma, great-great-grandma, aunt, and friend! Bertha’s family will always remember her for being a caregiver, servant to all, honest, loyal, caring, nurturing, quick-witted, and strongminded. Bertha loved big! She loved Jesus and taught all of us the same.
She is survived by her daughters, Ella Jo Sisk-Richey and husband Wayne, Mary Ruth Wessels and husband Dennis, and daughter-in-law Jan Powell; and by her brother John Farris and wife Sue.
She is also survived by grandchildren Kim Snodgrass and husband Chris, Joe Tom Sisk and wife Teressa, Kyle Sisk and wife Staci, Tom McCombs and wife Kathy, Doug McCombs and fiancé Jenny, Shay Powell and wife Morgan, Kelly Hanshaw and husband Hastings, and Scott Powell and wife Kinsey; great-grandchildren Courtney Hill and husband Ben, Krista Snodgrass, Emily Sisk, Bailey Allaire, Caghan Standlee, Cade Standlee, Mattie McCombs, Brady McCombs, Gus McCombs, Cash McCombs, Jessi Hanshaw, Cade Hanshaw, Harper Hanshaw, Hattie Hanshaw, Hank Powell, Branum Powell, Stella Powell, Trinity Powell, Rory Powell, Sierra Richey and Reagane Richey; and three great-great grandchildren, Billy V. Hill, Carter Hill and Allie Hill.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Jesse Joe Powell; sons Jesse Loy Powell and Jimmy Wayne Powell; father, John Loy Farris; mother, Mary Haygood Farris; brother Charles Farris; and sister Lois McMurry.
Bertha’s dedication in life was to Jesus and her family. She was a member of Bethal Baptist Church and the Spur Community Church. She was the oldest woman in Dickens County four years in a row.
Pallbearers were Joe Tom Sisk, Kyle Sisk, Tom McCombs, Doug McCombs, Chris Snodgrass and Brady McCombs.
Honorary pallbearers were Wayne Richey, Dennis Wessels, Gus McCombs, Cash McCombs, Bailey Allaire, Ben Hill, Billy V. Hill and Carter Hill.
Her visitation took place Friday, May 20, 2022, from noon to 2 p.m.
