Mildred Frances Powell passed away Thursday, July 17, 2008 in the St. Andrew Bay Nursing Center in Panama City, Florida.

Frances was born in Jackson County, Florida on April 9, 1925. She moved to Bay County at an early age and worked for the Bay County school system for 37 years (from 1944-1981) in the finance department before retiring.

She was active in community affairs for many years and was a past president of the American Business Women's Association. She was the 1973 and 1976 Woman of the Year for the Miracle Strip Chapter of the American Business Women's Association. She also served on the Panhandle Educators' Federal Credit Union Board of Directors. She spearheaded Fund Drives for the Salvation Army.

Frances was a dedicated and faithful servant to the Lord and served many years in the Sunday School Department of the First Baptist Church of Panama City.

She was preceded in death by her parents, W.R. and Mary Alice Powell, sisters, Allie Sidaris and Willie Ruth Riley. She is survived by her brother and caregiver, Lyndon Powell of Panama City, sister, Annette Adams of Blountstown, Florida, and sister, Sue Wooten of Blackshear, Georgia. She is also survived by a host of nieces and nephews who were like her children and grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held Saturday at 1 p.m. in the Wilson Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Clyde Ellison officiating. Interment will follow in the Evergreen Memorial Gardens. The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Saturday from 12 to 1 p.m. Those desiring to may make a contribution to the First Baptist Church Building Fund, PO Box 1200, Panama City, Florida 32402 in memory of Mildred Frances Powell.