Dorothy Nell (Earl) Powers of Lake Jackson, TX departed to be with Christ in her eternal home July 16, 2026, age 93. Dorothy's soul has entered into the presence of The Living God as she has now crossed from this life to the next... now in God's loving arms and in the fullness of divine joy and eternal rest.

"Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was...and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it." Ecclesiastes 12:7

Dorothy Nell Earl was born January 13, 1933, to Samuel Foster Earl and Syble Jewell (Griffin) Earl in Sherman, TX.

Dorothy and Jimmie Shannon had one child, a daughter, Janet Sue (Shannon) Rudd (husband) James “Jim" Rudd of Lake Jackson, Texas, and one grandson, Jacob Connor "Jay" Rudd of Austin, TX.

In addition to her parents, preceding her in death were her brother, Thomas “Tommy” Franklin Earl, her former husband James Edgar “Jimmie” Shannon Jr., and her husband Lige "Ed" Powers.

Dorothy was born into what was known as "The Silent Generation." Dorothy being from that generation, was known as loyal, frugal, and disciplined.The Earls were very hard-working people, instilling good values and work ethics in their children's daily lives. Mr. Earl taught them how to use the fruits of the earth they needed to survive the hard times of the great depression which they did for the rest of their lives.

The fruits of the earth in Genesis 1:29-30 are seed-bearing herbs and fruit-bearing trees, given to humans for sustenance, reflecting God's initial blessing and provision for life.

Dorothy worked in Sherman, TX at the Hardwicke-Etter Company after graduating from Whitesboro High School. The company operated during peacetime, normally out of its expansive manufacturing facilities spanning several blocks in Sherman. Hardwicke-Etter was historically renowned as one of the largest manufacturers of cotton ginning equipment in the world.

At the time, Dorothy worked preparing artillery shells for the military at Hardwicke-Etter, because the entire community came together to meet the needs of the Korean War that began on June 25, 1950. This company's primary Wartime Mission pivoted its manufacturing capabilities to support the U.S. military, supervised by the Federal Cartridge Corporation. The plant manufactured and prepared critical shells and 155mm artillery shells.

A few of Dorothy's friends would meet up after work at their favorite local burger hangout drive-in called "Bear Up." This was also a popular place for the military guys who were stationed at Perrin Air Field in Denison, TX. One day after work, Dorothy and a couple of coworkers decided to have a burger, so they headed to "Bear Up." A couple of Air Force guys in uniform walked over to their car. One of the guys was Jimmie Shannon, a very polite, slightly flirty, and good looking guy with a cute smile, who introduced himself to Dorothy. Since this was slightly uncomfortable for the girls, they decided it was time to go, so they left. When they looked in the rear-view mirror and noticed a car was following them on every turn they made, they decided to drive to the Police Station. They were sitting in the car, and they saw it was the same two guys from the Bear-up drive-in. The two gentlemen came up and said, "No worries, we just wanted to meet you and talk with you." This was the beginning of a courtship between Jimmie and Dorothy. They continued seeing each other. Jimmie asked her to marry him. They were married in the Edgar James Shannon Sr. Family home July 19, 1954, by Rev. Dr. L. E. Clark.

Jimmie continued serving in the U. S. Air Force and reported to the 1005th IG Special investigations Group in Washington, DC for the remainder of the time served. They lived in DC in an apartment near the Pentagon and Dorothy worked in town nearby. After being honorably discharged in December 1954 from the U S Air Force, they moved to Jimmie’s hometown of Port Lavaca, TX.

To this union of James Edgar Shannon Jr. and Dorothy Nell (Earl) Shannon was born, one child, a daughter, Janet Sue Shannon on October 26, 1955, in Port Lavaca, TX.

They cherished their time together, as they watched their only child grow, they saw mechanized spindle pickers replace hand picking in the 1960’s, increasing yields and changing how cotton was transported to gins.

Port Lavaca’s cotton gin history reveals its role in the county’s economic infrastructure and community life. The continuous ginning system, once the standard, was eventually replaced by mechanization, marking a turning point in cotton production and gin operations in their region.

Jimmie started farming part-time with his father, James E. Shannon Sr., in 1957. Jimmy went on to farm and grow cotton fields and also taught others how to process their own cotton and maze. Together they pioneered liquid fertilizer which they combined with their farming fertilizer/seed operation. This partnership continued until the death of his father, James Edgar Shannon Sr. in 1965.

Dorothy was a valued partner in her husband’s business ventures, contributing her expertise and support to every endeavor in Calhoun County. Dorothy’s supportive involvement in his business pursuits were instrumental, helping to shape their achievements together.

In January 1955 they started a full-service gasoline station under the trademark, Humble Oil & Refining Co., (a subsidiary of Standard Oil of New Jersey). Jimmie’s Humble Full-Service Gasoline Station was located at 1808 W. Main Street, Port Lavaca, Texas, on the corner of Lowery Drive.

Over the years, working for Humble Oil, helping to grow its presence in the U.S. oil industry, especially after it began selling and marketing gasoline nationwide under the various names of Humble, Esso, and Enco and Exxon brands. Dorothy worked right alongside him at the station and later at the bulk station for Exxon keeping books.

Most people knew her as Dottie Shannon. She bowled on the Texas Women's Bowling Association, competing in championship bowling tournaments across the state of Texas. In the early 60's she owned and operated her beauty salon in her own home, called Dorothy's Beauty Salon. Dorothy and Jimmie Shannon parted ways on November 21, 1969.

Dorothy remarried on September 3, 1970, to Lige "Ed" Powers and enjoyed 39 years of marriage to Ed. He owned and operated his own trucking business. Dorothy worked for Brown & Root and Bechtel Corporation at the South Texas Nuclear Generating Station during the construction phase of the project from 1977 to 1992. Dorothy and Ed sold their home in Port Lavaca, TX and moved to Victoria in 1993. They attended Northside Baptist Church. Dorothy worked in the catalog department at JC Penney. Dorothy was widowed on February 26, 2011. She moved back to Port Lavaca and later moved to Lake Jackson in 2019 to be near her daughter, Janet.

Dorothy’s family would like to acknowledge with sincere gratitude the excellent care she received from Sweeny Community Hospital Rehabilitation Team and Hospital Care Team, Dr. Rajesh V. Dalal, UTMB Orthopedic and Pulmonary Rehabilitation, Lori IPH, Roxann IPH, Caroline and the entire hospice team with Gentiva. A special thanks to caregivers Peggy and Denise.

Dorothy’s living best friends, originally from Port Lavaca, Tx., Barbara Davis, Jeanie Mauer and Elvira Martinez of Spring and Barbara Anders of Lake Jackson. Dorothy’s longtime friends from Port Lavaca, Tx who have predeceased her are Beverly (Wilbourn) Smith Cuellar, Bobbie Bowman, Dottie Hensel, Jackie Landreth, Joyce Cornett, Ester Williams, Jo Ann Johnson and special childhood friend Dorothy Melton Slaten from Whitesboro, Tx.

Janet remembering with great joy of her mother’s artistic flair that would come to life as her mother would put the brush to the canvas. Her absolute favorite past time has always been gardening. She delighted working in the dirt outdoors. Dorothy had that flourishing touch; she could make anything grow. Janet especially enjoyed watching her mother growing things from seed, or from cuttings, like unusual tropical fruit, pineapple, banana, mango and papaya trees. Dorothy enjoyed watching the hummingbirds that came to her many blooming flowers, as their beauty reflected her loving kindness she gave to all.

Cherished memories of much love and affection from Dorothy… live on forever in the garden of all our hearts…

Contributions may be made to the charity of your choice or plant a fruit or nut-bearing tree and watch it grow and produce

Celebration of A Life Well Lived for Dorothy Nell (Earl) Powers Life is planned for Saturday September 12, 2026

GRACE CHAPEL MEMORIAL -

8819 US-87 North, Victoria, TX

Visitation: 10:00

Celebration of Life Service: 11:00 on September 12, 2026 on Saturday

Private Family Graveside Service: Immediately following