Willa Faye Powell

May 5, 1937 — August 21, 2024

Blue Mound, Kansas

Willa Faye (Noe) Powell went to be with the Lord on August 21, 2024. She was born May 5, 1937, in Arkansas to Leonard and Verna (Collins) Noe. They later moved to Kansas where she met and married David Gander. From this union they were blessed with two children, Katherine and Donald. This marriage later ended in divorce.

She was a hard worker which included jobs at Sunshine Biscuit factory, a meat packing plant and sewing factory. But her true talent was baking. She made wedding cakes and owned two donut shops, which included one in Waynesville, Missouri, where she had a military contract for a daily Monday through Friday delivery of 1,700 donuts to Fort Leonard Wood. She loved making wedding cakes the best.

She met and married William (Bill) Powell in 1974. He preceded her in death in 1990. She was devoted to her faith in the Lord and attended church faithfully. In 2015 she had a stroke while at church which left her bedridden. Her sister Connie brought her to Blue Mound, Kansas, to live with her. Connie was her faithful caregiver until her passing. Willa Faye loved African violets, watching the birds out the window, westerns and the St. Louis Cardinal baseball team.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her daughter Katherine Black; brothers, Berl, Ervin, and Loyd Noe; and a sister, Betty Gander. She is survived by a son, Donald Gander; grandchildren, James, Willa, John, Darrell and Amanda; six great-grandchildren; and three sisters, Lois McDowell, Connie Wright, and Karen Noe. The family would like to thank the many friends and family for their visits and making Willa Faye feel so special, especially Hal and Tina Aggers. In memory of Willa Faye, you may make contributions to life. Be kind to one another and spread "The Word of God." 

Graveside funeral service will be held 10:30 a.m. Monday, August 26, 2024, at the Sunny Slope Cemetery, Blue Mound, Kansas. Willa Faye will lie in state Sunday, August 25, at the Schneider Funeral Home and Crematory, Mound City Chapel. Online condolences can be left at www.schneiderfunerals.com. 

(Published in the LInn County Journal on August 24, 2024.)