Rita Darlene Le’Cuyer Powers left this world into the arms of her Savior on Feb. 19 peacefully surrounded by family.
Mrs. Powers was born at home in Bradley, Ill. on Aug. 28, 1928, to Paul and Thelma Le’Cuyer. She soon moved to Kankakee, Ill., where she graduated as valedictorian of St. Patrick High School. She went on to graduate from St. Mary College of Nursing in Rochester, Minn., as the first college graduate of her family.
Mrs. Powers met her husband Wilson “Bill” Powers while working as assistant head nurse on the neurology floor at the Mayo Clinic. Their 60-year marriage produced five children.
Mrs. Powers, who was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, sister Linda, brother Joel, daughter-in-law Pam, and son-in-law Barry. She is survived by her children, Bill (Barbara), David (Patty), Nancy, Pete, and Andy (Dale); 14 grandchildren; and 19 great-grandchildren.
Though small in stature, Mrs. Powers was a community-service dynamo. She was a member of Ossoli Circle Women’s Club and was one of the founders of the Knoxville Girls Club, serving as president and board member. As a member of the Knoxville Academy of Medicine Auxiliary, she worked to pass seat-belt laws as well as the car-seat loaner program for newborns.
Mrs. Powers was honored for her community service. She was the recipient of the Jefferson Award by the American Institute for Public Service and the Golden Rule Award by JC Penney. In 1984, she was honored as the First Lady of Knoxville by Beta Sigma Phi National Women’s Sorority.
Mrs. Powers enjoyed working in her yard and was a founding member of the Lakemoor Hills Garden Club. She loved Vols football and basketball and attended her last game at Neyland in 2021. Mrs. Powers developed an interest in tennis in her 50s and continued to play competitively into her 80s. She was a member of All Saints Parish.
A funeral Mass for Mrs. Powers was celebrated on Feb. 24 at All Saints Church, with the burial following at Berry Highland Memorial Cemetery. Donations in Mrs. Powers’ memory may be made to the Interfaith Health Center (www.interfaithhealthclinic.org) or Catholic Charities of East Tennessee (ccetn.org).
