Lanelle Graham Powell

Lanelle Powell, age 91 of Gatesville, passed away on Wednesday, January 21, 2026.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, January 27, 2026 at Scott’s Funeral Home and will be conducted by Jimmy Ferguson. Burial will follow at Restland Cemetery. The family will receive visitors one hour prior to the service at the funeral home.

The first of four children born to the late J.C. and Ruby Graham, Lanelle was born at home on the family farm in the Silver City community in Fort Hood near Killeen on July 19, 1934. Growing up in a farming and ranching family, Lanelle learned the principles of hard work, faith, and perseverance that guided her throughout her life of quiet strength and humility.

Lanelle graduated from Gatesville High School in 1951 and married D.F. Powell, Jr. on August 9, 1952. D. F. preceded her in death on September 13, 2017 after 65 years of marriage. Lanelle dedicated many years of service to the State of Texas through her employment with the Texas Youth Council and the Texas Department of Corrections Mountain View Unit until her retirement. She cherished time with her family, children and grandchildren, who affectionately called her “Mimi.”

In addition to her parents and husband, Lanelle was preceded in death by her beloved brother, Glen Graham, her cherished sister-in-law, Linda Graham, and her dear nephew, Jay Graham.

She is survived by sons, Gary Powell and Kent Powell; daughter, Lori McElhany and husband, Steve; daughter-in-love, Andra Powell; brother, Charles Graham; sister, Carol Brazzil and husband, Larry; niece Lis Appelman and husband, Todd; nephew Aaron Rainer and wife, Laurin.

Mimi was blessed with 6 grandchildren, Brittini Krcha and husband, John; Ashlee Bollier; Malorie Holladay and husband, Wes; Brad McElhany and wife, Miranda; Bethany Huckaby and husband, Tyler; and Kendra Pruitt and husband, Cody; and 15 great-grandchildren, Kelton, Kolbe, Korbet, Kasidee and Kyla Bollier, Jordan, Bailey and Dalton Krcha, Hudson and Hollis Holladay, Graham and Wrenley Pruitt, Stella and Amelia McElhany, and Ella Huckaby.

Lanelle is also survived by her treasured “table tribe” at Coryell Health Oaks/Welcome. The friendship and kindness of Henrietta Young, Linda Sue Ament, Yvonne Shields, Madeleine Moritz, Marjorie Crawford, and Mary Cooper were a precious blessing to Lanelle and her family.

The family is deeply grateful to Velvet Reyes-Hill, Valentina Reyes and Samantha Reyes for their loving and exceptional care the last few months of Lanelle’s life and for their dedication and commitment to our family. We also express our appreciation to Susie Keeney and the staff of Coryell Health Oaks/Welcome for their respectful and compassionate care over the past two years and to Amedisys Hospice nurses Sharon, Leah, Michelle and Whitney for their thoughtful guidance and support at the end of our journey.