Nora Charlotte Powers (May)
Nora Charlotte Powers (May), 86, of Minford, Ohio passed away peacefully in her home surrounded by loved ones on June 9th, 2023. Nora was born on May 5th, 1937 to Walter and Elizabeth May in Waverly, Ohio as the third sibling of sixteen.
Nora was a loving mother to four, adoring wife to Bill Powers, and the deeply treasured matriarch of a long line of grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and extended family as far as the eye can see. She spent more time answering to ‘Mom,’ ‘Mamaw,’ or ‘Nana,’ than anything else, and it was a title she wore with immense pride.
Nora and Bill’s love story began with a signature determination, as Bill would park across from Nora’s work until she agreed to go out on a date with him, and the rest is history. Together they created a life full of love, family, and cherished memories and their legacy will live on in the hearts of all those they loved so dearly. They were married at the Indiana courthouse on November 13th, 1957 and although they lived in a couple different places, they made their home at 50 Shady Lane in 1967.
The determination at the start of their relationship is a trait not only present throughout Bill and Nora’s life, but passed on to later generations, as a tender stubbornness is something Nora was all too well known for. Mamaw’s house is forever ingrained with the smell of chicken and dumplings boiling on the stove, the taste of sausage gravy over biscuits, the feeling of her grandkids sticky fingers after getting into her stocked candy drawer, and the sound of giggles late into the night as she told them all the stories they asked to hear. She was notorious for sneaking sweets to the kids, giving a mean side eye to the turned back of anyone brave enough to challenge her, and having a lead foot in the drivers seat (so much so that she earned the nickname ‘NASCAR Nana’). Ask any of Nana’s grandkids her favorite hobbies, and they’ll tell you all about how she loved sitting on the porch, collecting quilts, doing crossword puzzles, and cheating at Scrabble (I think she knew none of us would ever question her). Her door was always open to her doting friends and family, and those that came by would leave with full bellies, whether because of her or her daughter Sherri.
Nora was a daughter, a mother, a storyteller, a cook, a Nana, a Mamaw, a Nodie, and the strong and steady backbone to her family. In her passing, she leaves behind an indescribable impact on the souls of everyone that felt her love. Her soul lives on in the way her children tell stories to their children, in the way her daughter Sherri cares for people through her cooking, in the deep kindness of her son Billy’s eyes, in her son Randy’s mischievous smile and servant’s heart, and in her son Scott’s sweet tooth and deep devotion to his family.
Nana loved being a member of Shawnee Hills Baptist Church, and was an active member of the choir when she was able. She cooked for the children at Sunday School, and lead an AWANAS class at the church for an extended period of time.
Nora is preceded in her passing by her cherished husband Bill, her parents Walter and Elizabeth May, her granddaughter Heidi Sherman, her grandson Justin Sherman, her sisters Ida, Edna, JoAnn, Laurie, Debbie, her brothers Junior and Tommy and her niece Kelli. She is survived by her children, Sherri Fannin and Dean Dixon, Bill and Joni Powers, Randy Powers, and Scott and Alicia Powers. Her brothers Charles, Kenny, Jeff, Rodney, and her sisters Sharon, Vickie, Jenny, Glenda, an extra special sister-in-law, Vera. Even further, her 16 grandchildren: Brandon and Keri Sherman, Hanna Vanhoose, Kaela and Caleb Smyth, Christian Powers, Elia Powers, Sarah and Brett Rogers, Merrilynn and Tristan Brown, Carleigh and Brian Shipley, Maggie Powers, Damon Powers, and 11 great-grandchildren: Kourtney, Karleigh, Katelynn, Austin, Maisie, Skylar, Jack, Madi, Mason, Grace, Ava, Sydney, and Emma Jo carry her in their hearts. She is also survived by her loving and committed, long time caregiver, Lisa and amazing neighbors/family, Bev and Terri.
She will be deeply, desperately missed by all those blessed enough to have known her, but the family asks that you find solace in knowing she has been reunited with Bill in heaven, and looks down adoringly on all of us. To honor her memory, spend time with your family, eat a piping hot bowl of chicken and dumplings with a side of circus peanuts, and fudge the rules of Scrabble the next time you play.
A private graveside service will be held at the convenience of the family with Pastor Brett McGraw officiating. Friends may call at Erwin-Dodson-Allen Funeral Home from 5:00 to 9:00 p.m. Wednesday. Online condolences may be sent to www.edafh.com.
