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.
From the description of Josephine Rucker Powell papers : 1929-1996. (Washington & Lee University). WorldCat record id: 49288998
