She loved playing games with her grandchildren Lela Bell Power, of Ava, passed away on Nov. 15, 2008. She was born in Briggs, Okla., to Hardy Shanks and Grace (Pitcock) Shanks on April 14, 1914. She was married to Ernest Power on July 29, 1932. They had two daughters, Annabelle, married to Earl Johnson Sr., of Branson West, Mo., and Gracie, married to the late James Lawrence of Decatur, Ala. She was preceded in death by her husband, her parents, three brothers, Auburn Shanks, Gordon Shanks and Otta Shanks; one sister, Loma Hanaford; and two grandsons, Erwin Johnson and Charles Johnson.
She is survived by one brother, Faye Shanks, of Springfield; four grandsons, Steve Johnson and his wife Suzanne, Earl Johnson Jr. and his wife Shari, Greg Lawrence and his wife Diann, David Lawrence and his wife Barbara, and one granddaughter, Pamela Southern and her husband Garry. She was the proud great-grandmother to Amber Clark, Crystal Johnson, Lucas Johnson, Julia Johnson, Levi Johnson, Robby Johnson, Michael Johnson, Joshua Lawrence, Kara Lawrence, Bradley Lawrence, Jennifer Lawrence and Brandon Southern. Her great-great-grandchildren are Tyler Kesky and Brenden Clark. She is also survived by lots of nieces and nephews.
Lela lived most of her life in Ozark and Douglas counties. She spent the last year in the care of Earl and Annabelle in their home in Branson West. She loved working in the yard, shopping, playing games with her grandchildren, watching golf on television and listening to Alan Jackson’s music.
The family would like to thank Hospice of St. John’s Health Care for their excellent care of Mrs. Powers. They would also like to thank their friends for their expressions of sympathy and for the food, cards and flowers.
Funeral services for Lela Bell Power were held Tuesday Nov. 18, at 10 a.m. in Clinkingbeard chapel with burial in the Ava Cemetery. Online condolences may be sent to www.clinkingbeardfuneralhome. com.
