Brooke Elizabeth Powell, age 37, passed away on Wednesday, February 12, following an automobile accident in McLean County.

Brooke was born in Chicago at Rush-Presbyterian-St. Luke’s Hospital, on March 17, 1987. She was adopted by Christie and John Powell and brought home to Carlinville, Illinois when she was just eight days old.

Brooke graduated from Carlinville High School with the class of 2005, followed by four years at Illinois State University, graduating with a degree in Ag. She worked in the field of Ag for eight years at ADM in Decatur and four years at Central Illinois Ag in Atlanta, Illinois.

Brooke’s true passion, from the time she was a little girl, was anything and everything to do with horses, which eventually led her to start her own business called Independently Equine. She offered services including teaching riding lessons, horse management, barn organization and management, professional scribing and judging, show coaching, and consulting on horse purchases. Her mission was to aid in the positive growth of relationships between horse and rider. She used a compassionate approach to all types of learning and communication.

Brooke was born with a big heart for others. She was kind, caring, fun-loving and had a great laugh, beautiful smile, and gave the best hugs. She was loved by many and will be deeply missed by her family and friends.

She was preceded in death by her father, John, uncles, Jim Powell and Dan Curtis, grandparents, Dot and Bob Beard and Jake and Mildred Powell.

She is survived by her mother, Chris, companion, Joe Greene, uncles and aunts; Marc Beard, Rex (Gail) Beard, and Mary Curtis, as well as cousins; Geoff (Emily) Curtis, Bond (Drew) Wyman, Ryan (Sheila) Beard, and young cousins Xander, Asher, and Aria Wyman, and Robert Beard. She is also survived by a large number of extended family members. She leaves behind, too, her beloved dog, Tovi, and her two horses, Sweet Pea and Betsy. Sweet Pea has been with Brooke since she was 14 years old.

Visitation will take place Tuesday, from 4:00 to 7:00 pm on, February 18 at the Carlinville United Methodist Church with the funeral on Wednesday, February 19 at 11:oo, also at CUMC.

Memorials may be given to the Carlinville High School FFA, 4H, Macoupin County Animal Shelter, or Benld Adopt-A-Pet.

Davis-Anderson Funeral Homes, LTD, Carlinville is in charge of arrangements.