Marcia Dawn Powell

Marcia Dawn Powell, age 77, of New London, MO passed away at 9:24 pm Monday, August 19, 2024, at University Hospital in Columbia, MO.

Funeral services will be held 2:00 pm Friday, August 23, 2024, at the Smith Funeral Home & Chapel.  Fr. Greg Meystrik will officiate. Burial will be in the Holy Family Catholic Cemetery.

Visitation celebrating Marcia's life will be held 1:00 pm until the time of the service Friday at the Smith Funeral Home & Chapel.

Marcia was born on July 10, 1947, Rector, AR the daughter of Frank and Marie (Stokes) Powell.

Survivors include a daughter, Marilia Lessa of Brazil; grandson Luciano Lessa; and special friends to the end of her life, Nancy Simmons and Lisa Scharnhorst.

In addition to her parents, Marcia was preceded in death by a grandson, Lucas Lessa.

Marcia graduated from Rector High School in the class of 1965.  She went on to further her education at Arkansas State University receiving her Masters of Science and Education.  She later returned to college to further her education and studied Special Education at Southeast Missouri State University.

Professionally Marcia as a elementary teacher at New Madrid County High School form 1970-1987.  In 1987, she moved to Pike County School District where she taught Kindergarten, worked as an elementary counselor and coordinator of special education and also was the Psychological Examiner at Ralls County School District before retiring in 2000.

Mrs. Powell had hosted two exchange students over the years and was a member of the YSU.  She had traveled to Brazil twice to see her exchange student Marilia whom she loved as her own daughter.  She was a member of Delta Kappa Gamma and had held various offices throughout the years.  She was a member of the CCW, Red Hat Society, Monroe City Singers and enjoyed the fellowship of her friends attending dinner together, trips to the Quincy Community Theater and the Fox Theater.  Marcia loved education and loved all her students as her own.

Marcia was a member of Holy Family Catholic Church.

Memorial contributions may be made to Holy Family Catholic School or Holy Family CCW, in care of Smith Funeral Home & Chapel Funeral Home.

Online condolences may be made to the family and video tribute viewed on Marcia's memorial page at www.smithfuneralhome&chapel.com