Sharon Peggy Powell

Sharon “Peggy” Powell, 80, of College Park, Maryland, passed away on April 13, 2024. She was born on
August 2, 1943, to Esther and Forrest Scott of Saranac, MI. She graduated from Saranac High School in
1961, a year after she had met Rex Powell at a 4-H square dance, who was to become her husband for
nearly 60 years. They dated for four years until their marriage in 1964. Soon after, they moved to
Oklahoma for two years and then returned to Michigan for two years. In 1968, they went to Ames, IA
(Iowa State University) where their two sons, Scott Wesley and Jeffery Joseph, were born. In 1972, Rex
took a job with USDA in Maryland, their home since.
Being close to DC, family and friends came to visit and she would show them the sights. She earned an
Associate Degree from Prince George’s Community College during which a life-planning course aptitude
test suggested tour guiding (no surprise!). That encouraged her to pursue a career as a Washington,
DC, tour guide, mostly for eighth-grade trips. That was her passion for 21 years, retiring in 2011.
She made it a point to be at as many of her sons’ and grandchildren’s school and sporting events as
possible, sometimes travelling many miles. She was very proud of all of them.
As a 50-year member of Berwyn Presbyterian Church, she served as Deacon, Elder, Sunday School
teacher, in the food pantry, with Presbyterian Women, and was a fixture in the kitchen for every event.
She was known for her cheerfulness and energy, strawberry jam, purple, color-coordinated outfits, and
love for gardening.
Peggy was preceded in death by her parents. She is survived by husband Rex, sisters Bonnie and Donna,
sons Scott (Dolores) and Jeff (Margaret), and grandchildren Stephanie (Benjamin), Charles, Jonathan,
and Trish.
Visitation will be Friday, April 26, from 2-4pm and 6-8pm at Borgwardt Funeral Home, 4400 Powder Mill
Road, Beltsville, MD. The funeral service will be Saturday, April 27, at 11:00am at Berwyn Presbyterian
Church, 6301 Greenbelt Road, Berwyn Heights, MD, followed by a luncheon. A Michigan memorial
service will be held May 11 at Shiloh Community Church, 8197 Heth St. Orleans, MI with visitation at 10-
11am and service at 11am, followed by a luncheon.
In lieu of flowers, you are invited to make a memorial donation to the American Cancer Society (P.O. Box
6704, Hagerstown, MD 21741) or Berwyn Presbyterian Church (6301 Greenbelt Road, Berwyn Heights,
MD 20740).