Susan "Sue" Jane Powell

Susan Jane Powell (nee McKenrick), 83, passed away on September 29, 2023, in Crossville, TN in the company of her children.  Susan, “Sue” to all her friends, was born in Gettysburg, PA to Theodore and Janet McKenrick on August 16,1940.  She graduated from Delone Catholic High School (McSherrystown, PA) where she excelled in math, science, and softball.

Following high school, Sue continued to live in Gettysburg and worked various jobs, including as a waitress at a local diner. It was there that she met her husband, William (Bill) Powell, who was stationed at the Eisenhower family farm and would frequently visit the diner.  They married on January 3, 1959, and were together 63 years until Bill’s passing last May.

Sue’s early adult years were spent raising her two boys, Michael and Craig. The family moved from Illinois (where many Powells were located) and Pennsylvania (home of the McKenricks) a couple times before settling in Baltimore, MD in the late 60’s.  In the early 70’s, Sue began working for Bradford Federal Savings Bank, first as a teller and later as branch manager for the York Road and Lafayette Street offices.  She retired with over 30 years of service.

Sue was a sports enthusiast, enjoying bowling, tennis, and baseball.  While in Baltimore, Sue took up the growing sport of racquetball and became a mainstay in local leagues and tournaments.  Sue had a green thumb and was an equal opportunity gardener, finding enjoyment from the care and feeding of vegetables, flowers, and plants alike.  Sue enjoyed the outdoors, from camping excursions with the family, motorcycle trips down the skyline drive with Bill or summer vacations in Rehoboth, DE; Bethany, DE; and Hatteras, NC.

Cooking wasn’t a large passion for Sue.  But she took special enjoyment making batches of cookies, caramels, pumpkin bread, and other treats during the Christmas Holiday season.  Her pecan pies, peach cobbler, peach jelly, and sour cream pie were the best. She loved ice cream (chocolate over vanilla) and candy.

Sue loved animals but dogs most of all.  She had 3 throughout her adult life (Scottie, Dharma, and Gidget) and in retirement (with Bill) would dog sit for numerous friends and neighbors.

Sue enjoyed music and was partial to folk/pop classics from the 60’s and 70’s.  But if you really wanted to see Sue perk up, throw on a 50’s rock 'n roll or big band swing tune and watch her jitterbug.   She’d grab the nearest partner (usually one of her boys, Bill or brother Donnie) and cut a rug.  No one was a bad lead with Sue on their arm.   She loved movies with Fred Astaire, Ginger Rogers, and Gene Kelly.  The Quiet Man and Singin' in the Rain were favorites.

In 2004, Sue and Bill sold their home on The Alameda in Baltimore and retired to Fairfield Glade, near Crossville, in central Tennessee. There, she enjoyed tennis with friends, gardening, long walks with her dogs and time with Bill.  She was particularly fond of the large community of hummingbirds that settled each spring in the front yard trees and swooped down (rather aggressively) to the many nectar feeders Sue kept fully stocked.

More than anything, Sue loved being around friends and family: family reunions (like the recent McKenrick gathering in Gettysburg), holiday gatherings, tennis socials, family vacations to the Outer Banks of North Carolina, visits with lifelong friends or sitting on the porch with her boys and Bill.  Sue seemed happiest around others, laughing, talking, and touching those that she loved and those that loved her.

Sue was preceded in death by her husband William (Bill) Powell and brother Thoedore (Ted) McKenrick.

She is survived by her son, Michael Powell and daughter-in-law Patricia Casey-Powell from Crossville, TN; son, Craig Powell from Fredericksburg, VA; brother-in-law, Milton Powell from Lansing, MI; sister-in-law, Barbara Powell from Channahon, IL; sister-in-law, Jean McKenrick from Goldsboro, NC; brother and sister-in-law, Donnie and Bonnie McKenrick from Hagerstown, MD; four grandsons, Nathan Powell from Lansing, MI; Benjamin Powell and wife Jackie from Lavonia, MI; Sean Powell from Bel Air, MD; and Nicholas Powell from Bel Air, MD; as well as numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews.

No services have been scheduled at this time.