Obituary of Sharon Joyce Powell

Sharon Joyce Powell passed away with her family by her side on May 10, 2023. She was born June 15, 1944 to Roland and Cecil Fern Cook at Camp Forrest, Tennessee while her father was in the service. They later moved to a farm 12 miles south of Walsh, CO. There she grew up on the farm helping her dad and mom. She went to school in Walsh where she excelled in most things she did. She graduated in 1962 and then went to CSU in Fort Collins. She met Stanley Powell while in high school and they furthered their education at CSU. Sharon got her B.S. degree in physical education, where she found a love for teaching that would continue for 30+ years. They moved to Bethune where she started her teaching career. Stan and Sharon were married on September 4, 1966, and had two sons, TJ (1969) and LD, (1973). Stan and the boys were her everything. The twinkle in her eye when she talked about them made everyone smile. In 1979 they built their forever home south of Burlington. She was involved in every aspect of their lives, whether it was 4H, sports or cooking meals for them and their friends. As a former 4H kid, Sharon once won Champion showmanship at the National Western Stock Show with her steer “Big Dipper.” She took that lifelong love of animals and community and applied it over the years as a parent and 4H leader. She truly enjoyed being involved and helping anyone who needed it. She had many adopted “kids” that she loved to watch and help learn to show lambs. Sharon was such a pillar in the community, particularly when it came to sports. She was instrumental in starting the Burlington Wrestling Club. She organized many tournaments and ran them remarkably well. She and Coach Doug Duell spent many days together for the high school wrestling program, and he became a very close family friend. For years, Sharon took an interest in managing the mat maids, who she treated like daughters. She was also a referee for volleyball for many years. Sharon’s passions included cooking. She never met a kitchen she didn’t like. She loved to cook, bake and make snacks like her “little drummies” and scotcheroo cookies. She loved to give back and take care of everyone before herself. The next twinkle in her eye arrived October 26, 2009. Her granddaughter Hadley arrived and Sharon stayed with her the next three days in the hospital while mom and dad were in the hospital in Denver. She loved to bake with her and help her with lambs. Going to her activities, having sleepovers and watching her was a highlight. Sharon has fought a good fight with liver cancer for many years. She is preceded in death by her parents Roland and Cecil Fern Cook, her in-laws Cecil and Della Powell, brother-in-law Bill Powell, niece Tatum Cook. Those left to mourn her, her husband Dr. Stanley Powell, sons TJ Powell (English), LD Powell (DeShane), granddaughter Hadley Powell, sister Charolotte Desilet (Ron) brother Danny Cook (Lori), brother-in-law Kirby Powell (Marge), sister in law Colleen Mailhot (Dick), brother-in-law Lynn Powell (Maria), and many nieces and nephews. Visitation will be held at 5PM, Thursday May 18th, 2023 at the United Methodist Church 290 13th Street in Burlington, Colorado. Funeral Services are scheduled for 10AM Friday, May 19th, 2023 at the United Methodist Church in Burlington. Interment will follow at Fairview Cemetery in Burlington, Colorado. Memorials may be left at Love Funeral Home in Burlington, CO and be made payable to: The Burlington Wrestling Club P.O. Box 425 Burlington CO 80807 Final Arrangements entrusted to the care of Love Funeral Homes and Monuments in Burlington, Colorado.