Kathryn “Kathy” Louise Reichert Powell, 76, passed away on Saturday, May 28, 2022. She was born on September 9, 1945, in Marlin, Texas, to the late Oscar Reichert and Sybil Faulkner Reichert of New Baden, Texas. Kathryn’s sister is Barbara Reichert Hanks of Franklin, Texas, and Kathryn is preceded in death by her brother Dr. Oscar Michael Reichert of Mt. Pleasant, Texas. Kathy grew up in a very hardworking and loving home involved with raising commercial chickens, turkeys and beef cattle, a huge garden, and home-cooked meals. She was very involved in First Baptist Church New Baden where she played the piano for many weddings, funerals, and special events. Kathy was Valedictorian of her graduating senior class, Drum Major, and Featured Twirler at Franklin High School in 1963. She attended and graduated from The University of Texas at Austin with a Bachelor of Science in Home Economics in 1967. Kathy was a University of Texas Navy Sweetheart and Bluebonnet Belle Nominee in 1966. She met and married Jerome “Jerry” Lee Powell of Fort Walton Beach, Florida, when they both attended University of Texas at Austin and met on a blind date to a Military Ball. They married on January 29, 1967, and they have been married for 55 years. Kathy designed and sewed all of her gowns for her college and post-college Naval events and she even sewed and beaded her own wedding dress. Kathryn was a very talented pianist, seamstress, and cook. She managed an immaculate household for many years and raised two daughters, Kimberly Powell Hinsley and Jennifer Powell Storz. Kathy and Jerry lived in Austin, Texas; Oakland, California; Patuxent River, Maryland; Baytown, Texas; Katy, Texas; and most recently in West Houston. Kathy was a founding and active member of St. Peter’s United Methodist Church in Katy, Texas. For many years, she regularly attended weekly Sunday School, she taught Vacation Bible School when her girls were younger and she participated with United Methodist Women.
Kathryn is survived by her spouse, Jerome “Jerry” Powell and her daughter Kimberly “Kim” Lynn Hinsley of Panorama Village in Conroe, Texas, and Kimberly’s daughters Kristina Lauren Lazzari of Houston, Texas, and Alexis Elizabeth Hinsley and Kathy is also survived by her daughter Jennifer Powell Storz and her husband David “Dave” Storz of Edna, Texas, and her grandson Josef Reichert Storz.
Kathryn’s funeral service will take place on Saturday, June 4 at 1:00 pm at First Baptist Church New Baden, 3663 New Baden-Mt. Pleasant Road, Franklin, Texas 77856 and will be officiated by Brother Freddy Burden. Her burial at the New Baden Cemetery will immediately follow the service. In lieu of flowers, please send memorial gifts to First Baptist Church New Baden, P.O. Box 26, New Baden, Texas 77870 or the New Baden Cemetery, P.O. Box 133, New Baden, Texas 77870.