Lois Irene Craven Powell, the daughter of Jay Richard and Sylvia Irene (Collins) Craven, was born October 21, 1936, in Tarkio, Missouri. After the death of her parents, Lois and her brother, Joseph, were raised by their grandparents, Joe and Hannah Collins. She attended Tarkio High School, Tarkio, graduating in 1954. She then attended Tarkio College, earning her Bachelor of Arts degree in Education.

On August 4, 1957, Lois was united in marriage to James Robert Powell at the First Baptist Church, Tarkio. They made their home in Tarkio and became the parents of three children, Stephen, Valerie, and Mark. James passed away in 2023.

In 1957, Lois began teaching for Westboro Elementary, Westboro, Missouri. She taught numerous grades before teaching for Tarkio R-I School District. In 1997, Lois retired and became a substitute teacher for Tarkio R-I School District.

Lois was a member of the Westboro Methodist Church and Atchison County Library Board. She was very active in delivering Meals on Wheels and the Tarkio Food Pantry. She loved gardening, shopping, and spending time with her grandchildren. Lois passed away Tuesday, April 22, 2025, at her home in Tarkio, at the age of 88.

Besides her parents and husband, James Powell, Lois was preceded in death by siblings, Joseph, Jim, Reece, and Hale Craven, and Beulah Waggener. Survivors include children, Steve (Renee) Powell, Austin, Texas, Valerie (Philip) Grossman, Shenandoah, and Mark (Brenda) Powell, Des Moines, Iowa; grandchildren, Amy, Taylor, Lee, Blair, Lauren, Tony, and Brad; great-grandchildren, Lance, Cash, Penny, Claire, Chase, Irene, Henry, Nolan, Anna, and Eleanor; and numerous nieces and nephews.

A memorial service was held Friday, April 25, 2025, at Westboro Methodist Church, Westboro, conducted by Pastor Cathy Riggins. Inurnment was at Home Cemetery, Tarkio. Memorials may be directed to Tarkio Food Pantry or Atchison County Library. Arrangements were under the direction of Davis Funeral Home, Tarkio, Missouri. Online condolences may be made at www.minterfuneralchapels.com.