Eugenia Darice Powers

(Gena Powers) 47

by Amanda Spears, Reporter

Q.) Can you tell me a little bit about yourself?

A.) Well I'm married to Derek Powers. We have six kids together. Our oldest is Josie Crews, she is married to Dylan Crews, and Josie is our local artist that paints everything downtown. Abbi Powers, she attends UT Southern for elementary education. Our middles are Nylah Halbrooks - she will start MTSU in the fall for nursing abroad, and Braden Powers - he attends MTSU. Our littles are Keira Halbrooks - she will attend UT Chattanooga in the fall and Ethan Powers will be a senior at LCHS. We do have a new addition - our Avanii who just turned 2. If you know me, you know I love being a mom. My kids are all I talk about. That's why this question was hard for me lol. I am a pretty simple woman. I'm a planner and an organizer. I love to see good changes, I think that's why I enjoy finding something old and giving it new life. I enjoy cooking for my family and if you drive by my house in December you will know Christmas is my favorite holiday. I love to help others and volunteer for anything that I can. I want to travel & experience all I can while I can. I want to go back to school. A dream of mine is to sing & worship at church but my shyness gets in the way. My kids will tell you I love big!

Q.) Where did you grow up?

A.) I was born and raised in Columbia, Tennessee. I moved to Hohenwald in the eighth grade and graduated here in 1994. I moved to Hartselle, Alabama after college and moved back to Hohenwald in 2014.

Q.) What is one of your fondest childhood memories?

A.) Family fish fry, fishing, floating in the pool with my mom and laughing with my big sister, Amy Jo. She had to be the funniest person I knew, and I think it was passed down to my girls.

Q.) What did you want to be as a kid? What did you actually become?

A.) A teacher. I went to Martin Methodist for my degree and ended up moving to Alabama. Right now I am a Program Assistant with UT Extension.

Q.) Who was/is your biggest role model?

A.) I have a few for different reasons. First is Josie, Nylah and Keira because they never left my side through everything. Second is my sister Lisa - she has been my person. I have three ladies that I do look up to, they are beautiful Christian women, and they are always there for me - Deb Powers, Heather Norris, and Sasha Powers.

Q.) What are some of your favorite hobbies/ how do you like to spend your free time?

A.) I love to decorate for a party or my home. I love to see the outcome of a project; crafting just about anything; I love to cook. I watch videos of cooking or crafting and try to recreate them. Free time? I don't know what that is really lol, all my extra time is spent on my kids or home. They keep me very busy.

Q.) If you could go anywhere, in or out of the states, where would it be? Why?

A.) I have always wanted to go to Greece. It's one of the sunniest places in the world. It has thousands of islands. The artwork & ancient ruins. I think that started when Josie was studying Greece in her gifted program and we took a field trip to the Nashville Parthenon. I helped Josie build a cardboard Parthenon for her class. Her teacher loved it so much she kept it in her classroom until this past year, when she retired.

Q.) What is your favorite 90's jam?

A.) Just about anything in the 90's was my jam. Everything about the 90's was great. We would jam to Mariah Carey, Whitney Houston, "Vogue" to Madonna, & sing as loud as we could to "The Sign" by Ace of Base...those were the good days lol.

Q.) What is one of your favorite things about living in Hohenwald?

A.) I know everyone says this, but it's being a small town where everyone knows everyone. We watch after each other's kids, we cheer for each other and watch each other's families grow up. Hohenwald is like one big family.

Q.) What is your favorite time of year? Why?

A.) Fall for sure. It's the cool weather, the bonfires, and all of the fall colors, especially the orange. Orange pumpkins, orange leaves, the orange skies and UT football.

Q.) Let's say you're a new addition to the crayon box, what color would you be? Why?

A.) Orange because it's bright and bold.

Q.) What do you enjoy most about your job?

A.) My job - probably the best thing is my coworkers, Shelly, Kay, Drew & Whit. We work together, and we genuinely care for each other. My favorite thing about my coworkers is that we laugh. I was blessed to get this job, especially for the hours and flexibility. I get to travel & meet new people. Go Vols!

Q.) Do you have a nick name?

A.) Yes, G, GiGi.

Q.) Is there any life advice you could give to our readers?

A.) Yes, seek Him! We all have hard times, we all go through things but if you put God first, your life will change, everything about God's word is for good. It's the most simple instructions you will ever read. Everything else will fall in place. Live for the good stuff! Cherish everything, mostly your family but, cherish time. Time is a gift, I tell my kids to enjoy each season of their life because once it's gone, it's gone.

Q.) Is there anything you would like to add that my questions may not have touched on?

A.) I do. I want to thank everyone that helped and supported Derek and I when we decided to take Avanii into our home. We started with nothing because our babies were in high school. The abundance of love flooded our home. Family and friends blessed this little girl. Everything she needed was there in no time and that is being a part of that small town. She is thriving, growing and so smart! I cannot imagine life without her now. I also want to share how amazing our kids are. When they heard the news of Avanii, they did not hesitate. They love and care for her as much as Derek and I do, and she will forever be their little sister and a part of our home. God is so good!