Yesterday we attended the funeral of Etta Jean Powell. For those of you who don't know her, she was a member of our ward in Walled Lake as well as before in Livonia. Etta Jean never married but was caregiver to many! Friends, Relatives, and numerous nieces and nephews. On many occassions she took children into her home with her mother and brother and raised them. At her funeral yesterday, members of the family and friends all paid tribute to her. It was amazing to see all those nieces and nephews come to the front and do that. She was truly a Christ-like person in every way.
Back in the 80's, Etta Jean's cousin and husband adopted 2 young boys. This cousin struggled with a variety of addictions and it culminated in the boys being raised from age 4-14 by Etta Jean and Letha (Etta Jean's mother). They weren't blood relation to Etta Jean, but she took these two adopted boys in and raised them for 10+ years herself. That's just the kind of person she was! Their names are Bobby and Ricky Kahrl. They were in our scout group in the Livonia ward and we summer camps together. I think I was 15 at the time of this picture. I'm 3rd from the left. Bobby is top left and Ricky 2nd from left on the bottom.
The story is our Scout Master - top right...Lee Freeman. That year we had so many memories from camp I'll never forget. Too many to share now but they include Brother Freeman knocking over the 50 gallon water bucket for putting out fires and us refilling it with dixie cups for teasing one of the younger kids. Or another one where we hoisted somebody's underwear up the flag pole, or this was the year Nels and I did 9 merit badges each in one summer!
After camp, about 1 year later, Bobby and Ricky left Etta Jean to move back in with their adoptive Mom. Apparently, unknown to me till recently, things went from bad to worse and these young boys found themselves raising themselves on the streets of Detroit/Southeast Michigan at 15 years old!
GUESS WHO WAS AT THE FUNERAL?
Rick (left) and Bob (right) both there to pay tribute to Etta Jean who they considered Mom ~ the woman that raised them. I don't know HOW I remembered their faces...but I did...and was glad I did so. We caught up for a bit and Rick and Bob described to me a very difficult life that followed leaving Etta Jean. Despite the hardship, they have managed well over the last 25 years to make it work. Rick is married and father of 6 kids and Bob married with 4. Both still living in Michigan.
They told me they had that picture of our scout troop and forwarded it to me. It was what they called one of the happiest times in their life. Thy said that Lee Freeman was "like a Dad" to them and that he had such a big impact on their lives. I'm reaching out to Lee to let him know and reconnect with them. What an amazing example of the positive impact you can have others! Never take that for granted!
6 comments:
**sniff, sniff!
What a sad, but inspiring story. I know Etta Jean (aka Wiffer Powell at our house) has a special place reserved in heaven. Her kind and generous heart obviously touched so many!
I am so sad that I wasn't able to be at the funeral. I loved it when we'd pick her up for church and she'd tell us story about Fords and the old Detroit ward. I don't know if I've ever met a more Christ-like lady than her.
Livonia Ward just lost a pretty great lady.
I also loved having a perm during scout camp. It gave me one less thing to worry about. Maybe that's why you were able to earn all those merit badges!
Thanks again Linda Rae - always looking out for us!
Etta Jean was a wonderful woman, that is for sure, but I must submit that it was in her Mother, Letha, that she found her example. Letha's house, where Etta Jean lived, always had grandkids coming and going.
Also at the funeral were Destiny Trisdale and Crystal ??? who spent years with the Powells while their mothers were in rehab, too.
I whispered to Jeff that he needed to sneak up to Arnold and see if there were any treats from The Candy Man ? And be sure to say "thank you ".
Etta Jean was holding a hankie bordered in left-over lace from someone's wedding album. I think most of you rec'd one from her at your shower.
Wow. What an incredible story Jeff. Isn't it interesting how people's lives intersect? I remember Sister Powell's "kids" while growing up in the LIvonia Ward. Funny thing is that back then, I really didn't realize they weren't actually her kids. She and her Mother both had such a kind, nurturing, Motherly way about them, it was just natural.
I also had her as a Primary teacher at some point I think.
And who could forget her brother, the Candy Man? Always a huge smile and a piece of hard candy to boot.
They were a great family.
I have to add that Jeff mentioned to me that Ricky & Bobby said that Brother Freeman was their example to them of how to treat women and how a father should act and raise a family. They have used that example to pattern their lives after. Amazing.
Amy
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