Dorothy E. (McInturf) Powers

Dorothy E. Powers, 94, of South Bend, passed away on Thursday, August 18, 2022 at 8: 05 p.m. at Memorial Hospital. She was born in Gibson County, IN on March 13, 1928 to the late Andrew Martin and Catherine (Bellamy) McInturf.

Dorothy graduated from Winslow High School where she met her husband, Raymond Gene Powers. They were united in marriage on December 25, 1948. She earned her bachelor’s degree from Oakland City University and graduated Magna Cum Laude with a Master’s in Music from Roosevelt University in Chicago. She was the music and choral director at Clay High School where she taught for over 30 years. She established the well-known Swing Choir at Clay, a choir which traveled all over the state and even performed in Washington D.C. for the Bicentennial Celebration. Dorothy was a sought after clinician and Guest Choral Conductor winning much recognition and numerous awards for her accomplishments in the field. She was an original cast member of the still running Stephen Foster Story in Bardstown, Kentucky and appeared as a soprano soloist in area churches and theatre.

Dorothy is survived by her daughter, Neva Rae Powers of Lake Worth, FL., and son, Martin Gene Powers of Mishawka, along with her 4 grandchildren, Erin, Kristin, Gillian, Raymond and 8 great grandchildren, Keegan, Aaliyah, Hayden, Annabelle, Owen, Cooper, Parker, and Chelseigh. She was preceded in death by her husband of 49 years, Raymond, her sister, Wilma Rose Dayton, brother, Robert McInturf.

Funeral Services will be held at 12:00 p.m. on Tuesday, August 23, 2022 at Palmer Funeral Home – Welsheimer North Chapel, 17033 Cleveland Road, South Bend, IN. Friends may visit with the family one hour prior to the service at the funeral home. Graveside services and burial will follow at Saint Joseph Valley Memorial Park in Mishawaka.

Memorial contributions in Dorothy’s honor may be made directly to the family to sponsor a memorial music scholarship at Oakland City University. Please make contributions payable to her daughter: Neva Rae Powers, 3870 D Vine Tree Trail, Lake Worth, FL 33467.

Online condolences may be left for the family at www.palmerfuneralhomes.com.

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