A Memorial service will be held Friday, February 15, 2013 at 11:00 AM at the Memorial United Methodist Church in Harrison, Nebraska with the Reverend George Kilmer officiating.  Inurnment will follow the services at the Harrison Cemetery.

Georgia Ashach Powell, at the age of 96, died on Tuesday, January 22, 2013 at the Chadron Community Hospital following a slow decline of health, over the past several months.

Georgia A. Powell was born March 17, 1916 to Tress M. and Edith (Collamore) Powell in Harrison, Nebraska.  She grew up in Harrison and lived most of her life in Harrison.  She had one brother William M. Powell of Harrison and one sister Jane Arlene Farnum of Tamworth, New Hampshire.  Georgia attended the Harrison Grade School and graduated from Sioux County High School in 1934.  She remained in Harrison where she worked for Abie Whiteaker in his clothing store and for her father Tress, in the Hardware Store.  When her brother Bill graduated from high school in 1937, Georgia and Bill moved to Laramie to attend the University of Wyoming.  Georgia finished her education at Parks Business College in Denver and remained in Denver, working as a legal secretary.  Growing restless and wanting to be closer to her cousins, Georgia moved to Omaha, Nebraska and worked for J.C. Penney’s in their business office.  Later, she returned to Denver and accepted a job with Standard Brands.  When World War II started, her father Tress encouraged her to return to Harrison to help run Powell Hardware.  After the war, her brother Bill returned home from the Army Air Corps and Georgia and Bill Worked together at the Hardware Store with their father.  In 1957, Georgia received her funeral director’s license.  She had a great working relationship with the Chamberlain Funeral Home and continued working for the Chamberlain’s in the Harrison community until shortly before her death.  Georgia’s distinctive personality, zest of life, knowledge of community history, and compassion for others at a time of loss may have been why she enjoyed being involved in the funeral business, helping others deal with loss.

After 20 years working the hardware store, she decided to open her own business.  In 1961, she opened Georgia’s Gift Shop in the old Viele Drug Store building that was located next to the theater building.  As her business grew, she relocated to a larger building located across the street from the Corner Market.  The social aspect of the business was the best part of retail.  Georgia’s Gift Shop became a social gathering place for those interested in the craft’s, a cup of coffee, rounded out the snacks and chitchat.  She closed her shop in 1973 so that she could care for her elderly father.