Martha Powell

Martha Florentine Borchardt Powell passed away on Monday, September 17, 2007 with her loving family leading her to the hands of God. Visitation will be at Oakcrest Funeral Home from 6 to 8 pm Thursday. Services are to be held at Kornerstone Funeral Home; 3605 SW 3rd Street, Plainview, Texas on Saturday, September 22 at 11 am. Visitation at Plainview will be 9 to 11am on Saturday.

Martha was born on January 11, 1918 in Hale County Texas to Otto Franz Borchardt and Anna Marie Rudolph Borchardt. She was the youngest of 15 children. She grew up in the Mayfield area in Hale County. She graduated Salutatorian of her class at Cotton Center. She went to business school at Lippert's Business College in Plainview. After finishing business school, she moved to Alice Texas and was employed as a secretary for Weaver Plumbing Company. It was during this time that she met and married the love of her life, Leland Standford Powell. Leland was a builder in Alice at the time. They married on December 16, 1939.

They lived in Alice, then Orange Grove, where they lived in a tent for six months until they built a small house that they built with their own two hands. Later they moved to Corpus Christi where he built houses with his brother, B.D. Powell. In 1950, they moved to the Waco area and along with his brother, Raborn Powell, they subdivided land for a new subdivision that would later be known as Westwood Heights Subdivision.

Martha was a very good homemaker and took pride in what she did. She made beautiful quilts, aprons, and clothes, many of which she gave away as gifts. She was most proud of her book on genealogy on her German ancestors.

She was preceded in death by her mother and father, her husband, and 7 brothers and 7 sisters.


She is survived by her loving daughter, Mary Elizabeth Powell Stone, devoted son in law, Robert Ross Stone III, very loving grandchildren, Pamela Denise Stone, Curtis Powell Stone, and Joseph Ryan Stone and fiancee, Ashley Curtis and numerous nieces and nephews.

Honorary Pallbearers will be her nephews: John Borchardt, Richard Borchardt, Wayne Borchardt, Edgar Lee Borchardt; cousin, Tony Barfknecht, and lifetime friend, Howard Springer.

Pallbearers will be her son in law, Robert Ross Stone III, grandsons, Curtis Stone and Joseph Stone, nephews; Layne Borchardt, Rodney Borchardt ,William Patrick and Chad Powell.

Memorials can be made to Providence Hospice or a charity of your choice. The family would like to extend an especial thanks to all the caregivers from Providence Hospital, St. Katherines and Hospice who have touched her life and ours through these past few months.