Linda Sue (Waltermire) Powers

June 16, 1949 – November 24, 2018

Linda Sue Waltermire Powers, Ed.D., passed away on November 24, 2018 in Perry, OK. An inspiring educator and role model, Linda will be remembered for her kindness and poise, deep love of family, and commitment to her community.

Linda was born on June 16, 1949, to Elmer and Salllie Kirk Waltermire at their family farm southwest of Perry, a fourth-generation homestead that is now part of the grounds of the Cherokee Strip Museum. Linda was raised with two older brothers whom she loved dearly: Fred Waltermire and Dr. Jim Waltermire. She graduated from Perry High School in 1967. On June 3, 1970, Linda married her high school sweetheart and lifelong love, Ben “Jack” Powers. They resided in Ponca City for 28 years before returning to Perry in 2005, where they built their home on family land. Together, Linda and Jack raised two children, Leah Ann and Brett Jacob.

In 1970, Linda completed a bachelor’s degree in Language Arts Education, followed by a master’s degree in English in 1993 and a doctorate in Curriculum and Instruction in 1999, all from Oklahoma State University. She taught at schools in Billings, Perry, Blackwell, and Fort Gibson, OK, and spent 23 years as an English teacher, among several other roles, at Ponca City High School. In 1995, Linda joined Ponca City’s Board of Education. She was the first female principal at Ponca City and Perry High Schools before retiring in 2009. Linda was a consultant for Literacy First Reading Instruction for over 16 years. The past several years, she taught classes at Northern Oklahoma College and oversaw student teachers for OSU.

In 2017, Linda was elected to serve on the Perry School Board. She also held several volunteer roles, including Perry Alumni Association and Perry Study Club. Linda was a member of Leadership Ponca City’s Class of 2002, Oklahoma Principal’s Academy’s Class of 2004, and the Perry and Ponca City Rotary Clubs. She was named an Outstanding Young Woman of America in 1984 and Outstanding Secondary Teacher by the Oklahoma Foundation of Excellence in 1988. In 1989, she received the University of Kansas Recognition of Outstanding High School Teachers Award. Linda completed numerous publications, grants, and research projects during her career and was inducted into the Perry High School Alumni Association Honor Roll in 2017.
Linda had a remarkable ability to build relationships, connect people, and influence thousands of students and hundreds of teachers.

She loved to travel and toured over half of the United States, Mexico, Bermuda, the Bahamas, and Great Britain. A consummate host, Linda made any occasion with family special and memorable and never missed Wednesday family game nights.

Linda is survived by her husband, Jack; son, Brett; and son-in-law, Jordon Lampe, all of Perry, OK. Surviving family members also include her brother and sister-in-law, Dr. Jim and Kathleen Waltermire of Perry; her sister-in-law Marilyn Waltermire of Perry; in-laws and lifetime friends, Melody Terry, Kimberly and Vic Tovar, and Page Powers; and numerous nieces, nephews, and other family members whom she dearly loved.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Elmer and Sallie Waltermire, brother Fred Waltermire and her daughter, Leah Powers.

A celebration of life will be held December 15 at 10:30 a.m. at the Bill Rotter Performing Arts Center, Perry Schools Auditorium, located 9th & Elm. Rev. Marilyn Weathers will officiate. In lieu of flowers or plants, the family requests donations to the Dr. Linda Powers scholarship fund c/o Perry Alumni Association.