Rosemary Lackey Powell, 79, of Orange, Texas, passed away peacefully in her sleep on Tuesday, July 7, 2009.

Funeral services will be 10:00 a.m. Friday, July 10, 2009, at Claybar Funeral Home Chapel in Orange with Reverend Berry Bradley officiating. Burial will follow at Hillcrest Memorial Gardens near Bridge City.

Visitation with the family will be from 5:00-7:00 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home.

Rosemary was born in Birmingham, Alabama on February 21, 1930, to Sally and Albert Lackey. A devoted wife, mother and teacher, as well as a lifelong Christian, Rosemary was active at First Baptist Church. Her teaching career began in Birmingham, Alabama in 1951, following her graduation from Samford University, earning her Master's Degree in Elementary Education from the University of Alabama, Birmingham and continued to Anderson Elementary until 1986. A retired teacher, Rosemary enjoyed celebrating her vocation through membership in Delta Kappa Gamma. Rosemary enjoyed traveling to visit her children and grandchildren, and especially cherished her vacations in Maui.

Family members honoring Rosemary's memory include her beloved husband Jonathan, who lovingly cared for her during the years since her stroke; her much-loved sister Jane and her husband Clarence, of Seabrook, Texas; daughters, Rosemary Duffey and her husband Len of Paradise Valley, Arizona; Jane Powell and her husband Lester Zedd of Houston, Texas; Jennifer Eades and her husband Brian of Amarillo, Texas; and Joan Bonnington and her husband Paul of Houston, Texas.

Grandchildren include Holley Duffey Stacy of Phoenix, Arizona; Jonathan Duffey of Chicago, Illinois; Christina Bonnington of Oxford, Mississippi; Katherine

Bonnington of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Lauren Eades of Medford, Massachusetts; and Rachel Eades of Amarillo, Texas. Nephew and niece are Monty Crawford of Littleton, Colorado and Laurie Crawford Chronopoulos of Fort Collins, Colorado.

Serving as Pallbearers will be Len Duffey, Brian Eades, Paul Bonnington, Charlie Phillips, O'Neal Waldrop and Reggie Parker.

The family would like to thank all of the faithful caregivers and church members who showed such love and devotion to Rosemary and Jonathan throughout the past three and a half years. We could not have made it without your dedicated support.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the First Baptist Church's Ike Rebuilding fund, 602 Green Avenue, Orange, Texas 77630.