Pauline Powers

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Celebrating the life of
Pauline  PowersJanuary 14, 1918 - April 07, 2007

Pauline Cargill Powers, 89, died Saturday April 7, 2007 at Hospice Savannah.
A native Savannahian and a lifelong athlete, Pauline was an avid golfer who played two and three times a week until recent years. She discovered golf as a youngster in the 1920s after she spotted the clubs her older brother, Paul, brought home from his caddying job. Together they built a couple of holes on the vacant lot next to their Lincoln Street home and created sand traps and obstacles by hauling dirt in a wagon from the nearby cross town railroad tracks. By sixth grade she had added basketball and swimming to her athletic repertoire. She began refereeing school basketball games and, in the early 1930s, she was recruited by sports enthusiast Fred Garis to swim for a local team that competed in the Mid-Atlantic Championships in Charlotte, N.C.
She graduated from Savannah High School in 1935 where she was a standout on both the swimming and basketball teams, and was voted “Most Athletic Girl.” She was a member of the first graduating class 1937 at Armstrong Junior College and was captain of the women’s basketball team. In 1939 she received a bachelor’s degree in physical education from the University of Georgia where she swam competitively and was secretary-treasurer of the Dolphin Club. After college she taught physical education to blind and hearing impaired children in St. Augustine, Fla. In the early 1940s, she briefly taught P.E. at Savannah High and coached the school’s swim team.
She married Leander Kennedy “Lee” Powers M.D. on May 26, 1942 and together they raised five children. In addition, they were a formidable pair working together in his medical practice as well as on the golf course. For decades she was an active member of the Savannah Golf Club’s ladies’ golf group and was a seven-time ladies champion. In her lifetime, she had three holes in one and won numerous tournaments. She was a 50-year plus member of the Savannah Women’s Golf Association. In the early 1960s, after her last child started school, she resumed a career in education, teaching P.E. at Wilder Junior High, Savannah High and Bartlett Junior High schools before she retired.
Pauline Powers will be forever remembered for her positive outlook, her sweet smile, her delightful sense of humor, and her spunk, which she displayed both on and off the golf course.
She was a member of First Baptist Church.
She was the last surviving “Savannah Cargill” of her generation and was predeceased by her parents, George Slade Cargill and Mattie Mason Cargill, and 10 siblings, Frances Cooke, George Cargill Jr., James Cargill, Lillie May Perkins, Frank Cargill, Evelyn Santos, John Cargill, Paul Cargill, Ernestine Cole and Ruth Wood.
She is survived by her husband, Lee; five children, Nancy Chapman, Jean Sparks Roy, Jane Sparks Terry, Ken Powers and Polly Stramm Steve; seven grandchildren, Lee Ann Anand, Laurie Junko, Terry Sparks, Ken Sparks, Tommy Chapman, Pauline Cargill “Polly” Stramm and Mary Stramm; five great-grandchildren, Palmer Sparks, Ethan Sparks, Jackson Anand, Campbell Cargill Sparks and Tatum Kennedy Sparks; and several nieces and nephews.
The family would like to thank special caregivers Betty Welch, Bea Perry, Mary Murphy, Flo Barnwell and Sadie Roberson for their kindness and love.
Graveside Services: 11 a.m. Tuesday, Greenwich Section, Bonaventure Cemetery.
Remembrances: First Baptist Church of Savannah, P.O. Box 9551, Savannah, GA 31412 or Hospice Savannah, P.O. Box 13190, Savannah, GA 31416 .

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Polly: When we reflect on your mom's passing and the days leading up to it, we remember the devotion that you and the members of your family have given to both your parents. You can take comfort in that and the words of John 14:1-4. Rich and Linda Wittish

- Rich and Linda Wittish, Savannah, GA

Polly and family, My memory of your mom will be one of a lady who fiercely loved her children. She was a powerful example of motherly love. I'm sure her life has guided you with your own lovely girls. There is no higher praise we can achieve in this world than setting a loving, Godly example as Mrs. Powers did. While I know you are so sad now, you should be comforted by your mother's legacy. All you have to do is look into the faces of Polly and Mary to see that legacy alive. Your in my prayers, Cheryl

- cheryl lauer, Savannah, GA

Ken, Polly, Jean, Jane & Nancy, My prayers and thoughts are with your family today.

- Joe Mathews, Savannah, GA

Dear family, We share in the loss of Mrs. Powers. What a wonderful lady she was. What a legacy and heritage she left for you all. Know that our prayers are with you as you begin this time of healing. She has a new body now, and is singing with the angels! Love, Jerry and Mary Alice Hendrix and family

- Jerry & Mary Alice Hendrix, Savannah, GA

Dr. Powers, Ken and Polly The loss of a dearloved one is difficult, but we can have an assurance by our Lord that Mrs. Powers is in great health and peace now. What a time for passing, during the week of our Lord's death and ressurection. We need no greater assurance that you will be with your wife or mother in an eternal life. My deepest condolenses

- Jerry Benson, Savannah, GA

Polly and Family, our thoughts and prayers are with you. Tom and Kathy Trocheck

- Kathy Hogan Trocheck, Avondale Est., GA

Mrs. Powers was a dear, sweet lady and we will miss her. Our prayers are with her family. Love, Fran and Glenn

- Fran and Glenn Arnsdorff, Savannah, GA

POLLY, OUR LOVE AND PRAYERS GO OUT TO YOU AND YOUR FAMILY AT THIS TIME. ALWAYS REMEMBER THE GOOD TIMES AND THE LOVE SHE BROUGHT TO YOU. FRANCES CLASS OF 1972

- FRANCES THOMSON KENNEDY, REIDSVILLE, GA

Nancy and all: My thoughts and prayers are with you. Ellen Wilson Hatcher

- Ellen Wilson Hatcher, Savannah, GA

Dr. Powers, Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family at this time. Love, Phil and Betty Hunter Kim Hunter Johnson Phillip H. Hunter,Jr.

- Phillip H. Hunter, Savannah, GA

Dr Powers and Family, We send our love and sympathy to you and keep you in our thoughts and prayers. Love, Joan Hester Byrd Wendy Hester Ciccodicola Billy G. Hester

- Joan H. Byrd, Savannah, GA

May the thought of God's great love help ease your doubt and sorrow and give you the courage, hope, and strength to meet each new tomorrow. In Deepest Sympathy, Spencer & Betty Welch & Family

- betty, savannah, GA

She was fun to play with Savannah Women's Golf. I'm sorry to hear she's left us. Dorie Nichols

- Dorie Nichols, Savannah, GA