Alyce Jane Powell Gannaway

Alyce Jane Powell Gannaway

Alyce Gannaway, of Topeka, died peacefully on Sunday July 30, 2023 surrounded by her husband and 4 children at the age of 88. Alyce was born May 6, 1935 in Roanoke, Virginia to Horatio Hugh Powell and Natalie Jane Stultz Powell. She moved at an early age from Roanoke, VA to Louisville, KY where she spent her childhood and teen years. She graduated from Manual High School in Louisville, Kentucky in 1953. She is preceded in death by her parents and her brother, Jim. She is survived by her children; Jane (Martin Singley), Debbie (Mike Brock), Barbara (Tom Osterhaus), Bill (Tina Gannaway), and her brother Don Powell. Her legacy also includes six grandchildren; Coleman (Erica), Britton Green, Curtis Gannaway, Connor (Ashley) Gannaway, Natalie (Colton) Meyer, Olivia Brock, and 5 great-grandchildren; Ava, Bradley, William, Jack, and Alyce.

While attending the University of Louisville, she met her husband William Gannaway and on January 28, 1956, married in Louisville, Kentucky at the Presbyterian Theological Seminary Chapel.

William (Bill), a minister, often moved the family prior to accepting the pastor position at Westminster Presbyterian Church in Topeka, KS. There, she continued her studies at Washburn University where she earned her Bachelor of Education and her Master of Education. Alyce was a paraprofessional in Topeka Public Schools prior to beginning her teaching career at Shaner Elementary School and Landon Middle School. She was a Scout leader, tennis coach, member of the Topeka Area Retired Teachers Association and College Hill Nautilus Club.

Alyce and Bill were avid enjoyers of travel, often taking their children on yearly camping trips. As time continued, they traveled across the United States to visit their children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. They also enjoyed traveling the world together. Some of their international travels included: China, Cuba, England, France, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Scotland and Switzerland.

Alyce was a loving and devoted wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, daughter, and sister.

Memorial contributions may be made to Westminster Presbyterian Church, Alyce Gannaway Memorial Fund: https://www.westminstertopeka.com/give and/or Washburn University Department of Education Scholarship Fund program in Alyce's name: Washburn University Foundation, 1729 SW MacVicar, Topeka, KS 66604 or https://wualumni.org/givenow .

A visitation will be held on Friday, August 4,2023 from 6:00pm-8:00pm at Penwell Gabel Funeral Home, 1321 SW 10th Ave., Topeka, Kansas 66604. Funeral service will be held at 11:00am on Saturday, August 5, 2023 at Westminster Presbyterian Church, 1275 SW Boswell, Topeka, Kansas 66604. She will be laid to rest at Mount Hope Cemetery at 1:30pm on Saturday, August 5, 2023.

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