Barbara Powell

Barbara Rauh Powell died Sunday evening on November 8, 2026 in the comfort of her own home surrounded by family and close friends. She was the wife of Ray Powell. They were married March 9, 1992, in Benton, Missouri. Ray preceded her in death May 28, 2008.

Barbara was the daughter of Herbert M. and Ida nee Stueve Rauh. She was born July 11, 1950, in Cape Girardeau. She was the youngest of five children which included her four older brothers Charles (Eileen), John (Ruth), Herbie (Mia) and Bob (Bev). She is preceded in death by her husband, parents, four brothers and sister-in-law Beverly. Also, her best friend “the Other Barb” Barbara Hamlin Powell, her vacation pal.

Barbara always said she had three sisters. These sisters include Mary Boren Rhodes, Marcia Stueve Mendola and Nancy Stueve Monier. These girls were first cousins born within two years of each other and all from the Stueve family.

Barbara is survived by a son Stephen (Maureen) Powell of St. Charles, granddaughter Stephanie Powell of San Angelo, Texas, son Mark (Amy) Powell of Jackson; grandson Devin (Morgan) Stone of Jackson; sister-in-law Eileen Rauh (Charles) of Perryville, sister-in-law Ruth (John) of Jackson, sister-in-law Mia (Herbie) of New Port Richey, Florida, niece Jo (Kirk) Howell of Mt. Juliet, Tennessee; niece Jackie (Doug) Seabaugh of Jackson; nephew, Tim (Kris) Rauh of Perryville; nephew Josh (Rhonda) Rauh of Perryville; nephew Paul (Melanie) Rauh of New Port Richey, Florida; niece Anne (Xander) Slort of Tarpon Springs, Florida; niece Heidi (Oz) Osland of Pocahontas.

My best friends are as follows: Rhonda Weber Starzinger (since 1st grade), Kimra Beckett and Rita Becker and Linda Heitman (nursing buddies), Cheryl Reinagel, Tonya Wentz Ward, Maxine Mize. Connie Schaefer preceded her.

Barb attended Zion Lutheran School in Pocahontas, Jackson High School, Southeast Missouri University (AA in nursing, BSN and a Masters in Public Administration), University of Missouri St Louis UMSL (MSN and a nurse practitioner option). She worked 1974-2009 Southeast Hospital ICU/CCU staff, House Supervisor, Patient Care Coordinator, Administrator Home Care Services, Cath Lab, OR, and Education.

Barbara was a past member of Missouri Nurse Association and Missouri Hospital Home Health Association and Missouri State Home Health Association. Barbara was published in Home Care Journals and spoke at the NHCA (National Home Care Association) annual conference.

In Barbara’s retirement years, she did research for her brother Charlie’s books, volunteered at her church, continued to care privately for people in their homes, volunteered for Safe Harbor and as a docent for the Lutheran Heritage Center and Museum.

A visitation for Barbara will be held on Saturday, November 14, 2026 at the Good Shepherd Lutheran Chapel in Cape Girardeau, MO starting at 10:00 a.m. Barbara’s celebration of life will begin at 11:00 a.m. with a luncheon to follow at 12:30 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that donations be made to the family to aid in funeral expenses, or to Good Shepherd Lutheran Chapel in Barbara’s memory or the Lutheran Heritage Museum in Altenburg, MO.

Online condolences can be shared for the Powell family at www.mccombsfuneralhome.com