This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Author: marcenath Surnames: Powers, Tuttle, Stafford Classification: obituary Message Board URL: http://boards.rootsweb.com/localities.northam.usa.states.newmexico.counties.donaana/4267/mb.ashx Message Board Post: Las Cruces Sun News 20 Feb. 2003 Virginia M. "Scotti" Powers age 76 of Las Cruces, went to be tih our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, Sunday, Feb. 16, 2003 at Mountain View Regional Medical Center. Scotti was born Virginia Mae Smith on June 10, 1926 in Flint, MI, the only surviving child of Myron and Irene Tuttle Smith. Growing up in MI was an eventful time for Scotti, of Which she would mostly say, "I can laugh now". She was proud of her Scotch heritage and especially close to her maternal grandmother, a wonderful woman from whom she learned many great values, standards and manners in dealing with others. Scotti committed her life to Christ in her late teens and entered bible college, attending first Moddy Institute in Chicago followed by Columbia Bible College in SouthCarolina. As her faith and knowledge grew, so did her love and the Lord gave her what she lacked, a love for the unlovely. After completing the Detroit Missionary Intern Program, she entered into Christian Prison Ministry, working mainly with troubled teens. Her genuine Love, compassion, and understanding made her successful in all her efforts. Even after she left the ministry, she continued to be sought after, both by troubled youths and clergy seeking the benefit of her extensive training and compassionate understanding. She loved camping, fishing, rock collecting, and mountain climbing and found time to open a gem and jewelry shop. She loved to cook and collected cookbooks. She battled cancer twice and won, survived by a broken vertebrae and other back problems and endured chronic pancreatitis. In the end, she could not defeat the final assault of additional tumors plus heart and lung failure. Survivors include her loving husband, Carl R. Powers of the family home; one son, Mark John Stafford; one daughter, Shirley Stafford Hopkins; one stepson Brandon Douglas Powers; one step daughter, Carla Rae Powers and granchildren. Funeral services at First Evangelical Free Church 1435 S. Peco, interment in Hillcrest Memorial Garden Cemetery, 5140 S. Picacho, Las Cruces, Dona Ana Co., NM. Important Note: The author of this message may not be subscribed to this list. If you would like to reply to them, please click on the Message Board URL link above and respond on the board.