Peggy Powell known to me as “mother” which my best friend Crystal called her momma; “mom” which I was blessed to call her; and “Hunny” which all her grandchildren called her.
You’ve heard the expression “Heaven broke the mold when they made her”? This could not have been more true of Peggy Powell.
Having been grafted by love into the Powell family in the late 1980’s, I was blessed to witness what a godly marriage should look like and how a true Christian woman lives out her best life before humanity and our Lord Jesus Christ.
Some of my favorite memories of “Hunny” include her never ending available seats at the Sunday dinner table. It got to the point that an actual stranger would walk into her home on any given Sunday and the entire family (except for Hunny) would say, “Who it that?” Peggy Powell was the living, breathing biblical example of entertaining angels.
Other favorite memories include the endless conversations about Jesus, her open-heart and open-door policy and her madly passionate love for her grandchildren.
Those precious books on her shelves were not antiques, artifacts or priceless signed memoirs … they were binders filled with memories of her grandchildren.
Her boundless energy to ministries through the years left indelible marks on countless lives that she would never see this side of Heaven.
One special memory when visiting The Hogan in Colorado Springs, “Hunny” sat down with me at the kitchen table and said, “Deborah, would you like to help me write encouraging notes to prison inmates?” I’ll never forget how touched I felt to be included and how small I felt sitting in the presence of such a spiritual giant.
But I think the most awe-inspiring memory about Peggy “Mom” Powell is that we could all, individually and/or collectively, strive our entire lives to live out even a fraction of our Christianity like she did, and we would never come close to her godly example.
In closing, a poem comes to mind that I believe she is saying to us all …
Don't grieve for me, for now I am free;
I'm following the path God has laid, you see.
I took His Hand when I heard him call, I turned my back and left it all.
I could not stay another day … to laugh, to love, to work, to play; tasks left undone must stay that way, I found that Peace at the close of day.
If my parting has left a void, then fill it with remembered joy …. a friendship shared, a laugh, a kiss, oh yes, these things I too will miss. But be not burdened with times of sorrow, as I wish you all the sunshine of tomorrow!
My life's been full, I savored much; good friends, good times, a loved one's touch.
Perhaps my time seemed all too brief, but don't lengthen it now with undue grief.
Lift up your hearts, and peace to thee, God wanted me now; He set me free.
-AuthorUnknown
Happy Graduation to Heaven, Hunny!
With Heartfelt Gratitude and Love to have known and loved you.
Your Adopted Daughter,
Deborah Galligan
