Obituary of Veronica Powell Surrell

Veronica Powell Surrell, age 61, passed away peacefully on April 29, 2019.

On April 15, 1958, Veronica Denise Powell was born to Norvel and Geneva Powell in Kirkwood, Missouri. Ronnie, as she was known by her family and friends, was educated in Kirkwood Public Schools and graduated with honors from Kirkwood Senior High School in 1976. As a youth, she attended Harrison Avenue Missionary Baptist Church in Kirkwood and Greater St. James Missionary Baptist Church in Alton, Illinois.

Ronnie matriculated at St. Lawrence University, in Canton, New York, in February 1976. Ronnie’s life in Tulsa, Oklahoma, began a year and a half later when she transferred to the University of Tulsa to complete her studies. In 1980, she graduated from the University of Tulsa earning a B.S. in psychology and in 1985, she graduated from the University of Tulsa College of Law earning a J.D.

Ronnie met Herman Ray Surrell, Jr. during her time in law school and several months later, in August 1984, they wed. One year later and just days after graduating from law school, Ronnie gave birth to their daughter, Christina Denise Surrell.

Ronnie was a very loving, guiding, nurturing, and protective mother to Christina. She kept Christina busy with many extracurricular activities and played an active role. Ronnie was especially active with Camp Fire Boys & Girls (now Camp Fire, USA) in Tulsa. She served as the head leader of Christina’s Camp Fire group for 13 years. Ronnie also served on the Board of Trustees for Camp Fire.

Ronnie was a faithful servant of Christ. At the time of her move to Boston, Massachusetts, she was an active member of Crosstown Church of Christ in Tulsa. In the Boston area, she was a faithful member of Grace Chapel. Ronnie served as a participant and leader with Bible Study Fellowship, Inc., for almost two decades. Ronnie also participated in and led many other bible study groups. She lived to share the Gospel with so many. She believed that her duty on earth was to “plant the seed”, and that God would take it from there. She adhered to that mantra faithfully.

Ronnie was an advocate for many. She dedicated her entire legal career to serving the public, working for several nonprofit organizations, including the Disability Law Center and Legal Services of Eastern Oklahoma, Inc. (now Legal Aid Services of Oklahoma, Inc.). In 2004, she founded Advocacy Resources, Inc., a nonprofit organization that focused on client advocacy and dispute resolution involving client rights before administrative agencies, such as the Social Security Administration. A few years later, she decided she wanted to serve others as a trained counselor and in 2010, she graduated from Southern Nazarene University earning an M.A. in marital and family therapy. Ronnie worked as a family counselor during her final year in Tulsa, through 2012.

Ronnie was an extremely proud and loving grandma. She uprooted her life in Tulsa and moved to Boston one month before her first grandchild, Cameron, was born. She cared for Cameron full-time for the first years of his life. This was a duty that she completed with great joy. When Cameron was an infant, Ronnie would often talk to him non-stop throughout the day. Her soothing and caring voice was the soundtrack to Cameron’s early years. Singing songs, reading books, doing puzzles, playing board games, building with Legos, trips to the museum and library, and most importantly, teaching Cameron the pillars of the Christian faith during their 7 years together created memories that will last a lifetime. Although Ronnie was unable to care for her granddaughter, Olivia, full-time, due to an increasing number of health issues, she experienced tremendous joy during her visits with Olivia.

Despite her many health issues, whenever she was asked how she was doing, Ronnie would always respond, “I am blessed and highly favored!” Ronnie inspired so many and will be greatly missed.

Ronnie is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Christina and Terry Dawson, of Roslindale, Massachusetts, her mother, Geneva Powell, of Kirkwood, Missouri, her father, Norvel Powell, of St. Louis, Missouri, her sisters, Teresa Waller (Adrian), of St. Louis, and Diane White (Samuel), of Aldie, Virginia, and her grandchildren, Cameron Dawson (7) and Olivia Dawson (1), of Roslindale. Ronnie is also survived by many aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, and friends.