Carol Virginia Walker Powell, 83, died Friday, 5 January 2018, in Pendleton, Oregon, from complications of Alzheimer’s disease. In either assisted living or hospice care for 36 months prior to her death, Carol died peacefully in her sleep.

She leaves her son Roger Graves and wife Joelle of Medford, Oregon, son David Powell and wife Lori of Pendleton, daughter Suzan Powell of Dundalk, Maryland, son Steven Powell and wife Diane of Rhinebeck, New York, and daughter Kelley Running and husband Stephen of El Dorado Hills, California; grandchildren Allison, Colleen, Heather, Elizabeth, Daniel, Emily, Eric, Gregory, James and Robert; and 14 great-grandchildren.

Carol was born in Ogden, Utah, on April 20, 1934, to Robert Spencer Walker and Martha Virginia Rose. Carol spent her early years living in Utah, Nevada and California. She graduated from West High School in Salt Lake City, Utah, in 1952. Carol furthered her education by eventually earning a bachelor’s degree from Towson State College and a master’s degree from San Francisco State University.

Carol Virginia Walker and Roger Warren Powell were married in Las Vegas, Nevada, on 20 November 1953 and divorced in 1977. In her adult life Carol lived in Utah, Maryland, Iowa and settled permanently in California in 1977 living in Richmond, Pinole, and finally Rocklin. Because of her declining health, Carol moved to Pendleton, Oregon, in January 2015.

Carol spent many years in public/government service and retired from her position as chief public affairs officer for the Department of Energy–Western Region in the late 1990s. In retirement Carol was active in the American Association of University Women, the Rocklin California Historical Society, and many other organizations. She was an avid reader and book collector, and loved to travel.

The family wants to thank Sunridge Assisted Living and Juniper House Memory Care of Pendleton, Oregon, for the excellent care they provided Carol in her final months and days.

In accordance with her final wishes, a private service for family members only will be held.