LANETT — Mrs. Jean Sanders Powers, 87, of Lanett passed peacefully from this life to her home in heaven Saturday evening, December 23, 2017 at the East Alabama Medical Center in Opelika, Ala.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Hensley Payne Sanders and Annie Mae Cole Sanders, brothers Hensley Payne (Junior), Joe Ray, Charlie, Clarence, Riser, Billy and Floyd. 

She is survived by her husband, Leon “Pawpaw” Powers; sisters Frances Hurst, Ora Mae Fincher, Peggy Forde (Bill) and Betty McElhanon; four daughters, Bess Fincher Fulcher (Calvert) Pinehurst, N.C., Penney Daniel (Dennis), Lanett, Lynn Powers Robles (Richard), Valley, and Gwyn Powers Barnes (Jay), Valley. Surviving grandchildren include Stephen Johnson of Astoria, N.Y., Amy Andrews Thomas (David) of Opelika, Ala. and Bentley and Chloe Barnes of  Valley; four great-grandchildren include Madeline Chase, Libbey Murphy, Brayden and Cayden Ricky Thomas.

Jean spent 41 years as a productive employee of WestPoint-Pepperell’s Langdale Mill.  She worked in the spinning department where she helped train many new employees in addition to being a valued production worker.

Before being limited by failing health, she was an active member of Huguley United Methodist Church where she served many years as Sunday school treasurer. She and Leon were also very active in the church’s food outreach program, donating many meals to their first Friday lunch program for the less fortunate.

Jean was a good neighbor to many and was always ready to provide assistance in times of need.  An excellent cook, she specialized in baked goods. Many people were blessed to enjoy cakes, pies and other goodies from her kitchen.

She had a love for all people, but was especially fond of all of her children.  She had an extra bright smile for each of them and was never happier than when spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, all of whom loved her dearly.  She will be sorely missed by family and friends alike.

Funeral services were held on Tuesday, December 26, 2017 at 11 a.m. EST at the Johnson Brown-Service Funeral Home Chapel in Valley with the Rev. Rusty Tate and the Rev. Al Smith officiating. Her family received  friends at the funeral home on Tuesday from 10 a.m. EST until 11 a.m. EST.

Please visit her Memorial Tribute page at www.johnsonbrownservicefh.com to leave a condolence for her family, share a memory or photo of Mrs. Powers, or to light a Remembrance Candle in her memory.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made in Jean’s memory to the Huguley United Methodist Church, 3921 32nd Street Southwest, Lanett, AL 36863; online giving at:   www.umc.org/how-we-serve/giving-opportunities

Johnson Brown-Service Funeral Home of Valley is directing.