Louise Powell Roach, 74, of Roanoke Rapids, passed away June 16, 2021.
Louise was born September 2, 1946, in Roanoke Rapids, to Robert Lee and Jessie Harrell Powell.
She grew up with two brothers and three sisters.
She became the wife of Charles “Nicky” Franklin Roach in 1969 and was deeply in love with him when he passed in 2003.
Louise was active with her classmates at William R. Davie where she graduated from in 1964. Not long after graduation she moved to Richmond VA where she met and married Nicky. The two operated a small amusement business that served the greater Richmond area. She also drove a school bus for Hanover County Schools for a number of years to “stay close to her children.”
She also helped her husband with the care of his disabled brother and elderly mother. While in Richmond she attended Shady Grove United Method Church and later Berea Baptist Church where she also served as a Deacon. A year after the death of her husband, with her children grown, she decided to move back to Roanoke Rapids. At first she planned to stay with her mother for a short period, but quickly realized that she would eventually be needed to assist with her care. Not only did she care for and help family, but also anyone who needed it. She would visit the sick, help take people to the doctor, or help with getting someone back on their feet. Many in Roanoke Rapids may not have known her by name, but they knew her by her kind deeds and that she always helped folks out.
Once back to her hometown she became quickly involved at Smith United Methodist Church. She helped with Sunday school, served on the Worship Committee and was very active with the UMW (United Methodist Women).
She was preceded in death by her husband, Charles Franklin Roach (2003), her parents Robert Lee Powell (1950) and Jessie Harrell Powell Patterson (2009), brother Robert “Bobby” Lee Powell Jr. (2018), brothers-in-law, William “Bill” Hux (2013), Howell Draper (2017) and William “Billy” Smith (2016).
She is survived by two children, Tim (Monica) Roach and Michelle Roach; three grandchildren, Cora Roach, Maeve Roach, and Jordan Roach; three sisters, Erma Hux, Anne Draper, Judy Smith, and brother William (Lynn) Powell; sisters-in-law, Gwen Powell, Hellon Roach, and Sophie Sellars, numerous nieces and nephews, cousin Paul Powell and quite a few special people she considered family.
The family will receive friends from 12:30 until 1:30 p.m., Saturday, June 19, at Smith United Methodist Church Fellowship Hall, with a memorial service being held at 2:00 p.m., with Rev Gregg McGarvey officiating.
The family requests that donations be made to the Smith United Methodist Church M&M (Ministry and Mission) Fund in care of Debra Pittman, 113 Appleton Drive, Roanoke Rapids, NC 27870. The family would like to extend special thanks to Personal Care Assistant, Janice Price and the health care workers at Vidant North, Duke Health, and Hillcrest Convalescent Center.
Arrangements are under the care of Hockaday Funeral and Cremation Service.