She graduated from Saint Mary’s Junior College in Raleigh in 1957 and graduated Phi Beta Kappa from  Duke University  in 1959. She enjoyed her involvement with the Colonial Dames, Thursday Afternoon Club,  Bridge Club, and  historical preservation.  Her love for life was visible by her smile and grace and shone through in her fellowship with friends and family.  Her joy was good times filled with rhythm, dance, family, and friends.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Joseph Powell and Margaret Louise Hamilton, her uncle Marcus Battle Braswell, and her daughter in law, Paige Thompson Cutchin.  

She leaves behind her children Louise Cutchin Thompson (Kevin), Lawrence”Gil”  McGilbra Cutchin, Jr , William “Ran” Ransom  Johnston, Jr (Joan), and Martha Johnston Chesnutt (Stephen) and her grandchildren Christina Browne (Gary), Jeffrey Kelly, Joseph Kelly, McGilbra Cutchin, Matti Margaret Cutchin, Ran Johnston, Martha Luck Johnston, Margaret Ivy Johnston, Mary Powell Chesnutt, and Elizabeth Chesnutt.

Visitation will be at the home of Martha and Stephen Chesnutt on Tuesday October 22 from 5-7 pm.  A Graveside Service at Pine View Cemetery in Rocky Mount on Wednesday October 23 at 3 pm with the Reverend Peter Bynum officiating.  Following this service there will be a celebration of her life at the home of Martha and Stephen Chesnutt.  Friends and family are invited.