Josephine Rucker Powell Papers 1929-1996

Access and use

Location of collection:
Washington and Lee University, Law School
Washington and Lee University
School of Law
1004 Sydney Lewis Hall
1 Denny Circle
Lexington, VA 24450-0303
Contact for questions and access:
POC: Jennifer V. Mitchell
Phone: (540) 458-8969

Summary

Language:
English

Background

Scope and content:

These papers document Josephine R. Powell's personal and social life. There is also a substantial record of the condolences extended to her family on her death and of her funeral service.

Biographical / historical:

Josephine Pierce Rucker Powell was born in Richmond, Virginia in 1911. She attended the Collegiate School for Girls and graduated from Sweet Briar College. She participated in multiple varsity sports excelling at swimming and diving. She was a model at Miller & Rhoads Department Store in Richmond and worked for three years in the office of her physician father Dr. Marvin P. Rucker.

In 1936 she married Lewis F. Powell Jr. They had four children. They lived in Richmond all their lives until Lewis Powell joined the U.S. Supreme Court in 1972. Thereafter, they maintained residences in both Washington and Richmond.

Active in community and cultural activities, Mrs. Powell was a member of The National Society for Colonial Dames of America in the Commonwealth of Virginia, the National Society of the Barons of Runnemede, the Sulgrave Club, International Neighbors Club #1 (president), Junior League of Richmond (vice president), board member of the Association for the Preservation of Virginia Antiquities, Poe Foundation, Children's Theatre of Richmond Inc., Three Chopt Garden Club, and the Woman's Club. She died July 24, 1996.

Arrangement:

These papers have been preliminarily sorted into eleven series: Biographical Materials, Correspondence, Christmas Cards, Invitations, Postcards, Subject Files, Printed Materials, Photos, Clippings, Appointment Calendars,and Funeral. Several of the series have significant subseries components.

Physical description:
This collection is 9 cu. ft. in extent.