Cora Frances Matthews Powell

Cora Frances Matthews Powell, 81, of Raleigh, formerly of Fuquay-Varina, NC passed away peacefully on Friday, October 14, 2016 surrounded by loved ones when she entered into our heavenly fathers arms. Frances was born August 20, 1935, one of 6 children to the late Matthew Tyson Matthews and Florine Florence Conner Matthews. She met the love of her life, Shirlowe Powell on a blind date. The two celebrated 64 years of marriage this past April. Frances and Shirlowes family grew to include the second love of Frances’s life, her children, but the light of her life were her grandchildren and her great-grandchildren. Frances spent her career driving for Fairview Greenhouse and then touching lives thru her ministries with the North Carolina Baptist Men’s Association thru Disaster Relief and the Dental Bus. She was preceded in death by her parents, her Brother Robert “Bobby” Matthews and Sister Jane Williford.  She is survived by her loving husband Alfred Shirlowe Powell; Daughters: Debbie Powell Evans, husband Marshall; Dianne Powell Jones, husband H.J.; Donna Kaye Powell Murray; husband Jimmy; Son: Alfred Marlowe Powell. Grandsons: Tyson Jones, wife Jackie; Marshall Evans III, wife, Lauren; Zach Powell, wife Tessa. Granddaughters: Kristin Evans Register, husband Mark; Amber Weaver, husband Allen; Florine Bonaparte; Allison Powell. Sisters: JoAnn Dewar and LaRue Powell; Brother: Tommy Matthews; 4 great-grandsons and 4 great-granddaughters and numerous nieces, nephews, and many friends. The family will be receiving fellowship of friends and family at the home of Jimmy and Donna Murray 1015 Parrish Road Fuquay-Varina, NC 27526 Saturday, October 15, 2016. The family will be greeting friends and family at 1:00 pm and will be followed by a Celebration of Life at 2:00 pm Sunday, October 16, 2016 at Athens Drive Baptist Church in Raleigh with burial to be at Chalybeate Springs Baptist Church Cemetery, Fuquay-Varina at 4:00 pm. Flowers are appreciated or memorials in Frances name may sent to the Alzheimer’s Association of Wake County.