Mary Jeanne Powell

Heaven gained an angel Wednesday, April 1, 2015, when Mary Jeanne (Parker) Powell was called to rest. Daughter of the late Byron Read Parker and Melba Lucy (Haines) Parker, she was born March 11, 1927, and raised in Mount Holly, where she was blessed to meet and marry her still surviving High School Sweetheart, Miles Powell Jr. Known for her beauty and grace, Jean was elected Homecoming Queen for the troops after World War II. With Jeanne by his side, they moved to Delaware, where Miles pursued his education at the University of Delaware, receiving his degree in Chemical Engineering, and went on to be a sales executive at DuPont and later Chemplast Inc. They moved to Glen Ridge, N.J., to raise their children. Jeanne was a devoted wife and mother. She is survived by her three loving daughters and their families, Phyllis Jeanne (Powell, Wilson) and Marc Bernstein, and children, Lisa (Valentine) Wilson and her twin boys, Aiden and Wilson Valentine, and Miles Wilson; Kimberlee (Powell) and Patrick Taylor, and Kristin (Powell) and Scott Mahoney, and their children, Keith, Christopher, and Kimberlee Jeanne. Jeanne was sister of the late Melvin Parker and his late wife, Bobbie (Barbara), and aunt/grand aunt to their children and their families, Sydney, Byron, Melissa, and Mark; and sister of surviving sister, Loie (Lois) and husband, Jim Logan, and their children and families, James II (deceased) Tera, Michael, Ross (deceased) and Holly. She also is survived by her brother-in-law, Alfred Powell and his children, Brian, Leigh, and Miles, and their wives and children; and sister-in-law, Barbie (Barbara) Powell and her children, Tom, Tim and Todd, and their wives and children. Perhaps Jeanne and Miles' greatest legacy was their friendships that they had developed along the way, as Phyllis, Kim, and Kristin have so many honorary aunts and uncles from their parents Mount Holly High School days including, Aunt Jeanne (Elberson) and Uncle Jack (Honorable John F.) Gerry, Uncle Fergie and Aunt Ann Reeves, Uncle Tom and Mary Lou Anderson, Uncle Hawkie (Ed) and Judy Hawkins. Their children and grandchildren are like cousins and kin to the Powell girls, and we cherish all the wonderful times and memories that we shared with them as well as with our blood relatives. Jeanne's lifework was to lead by example as a loyal, kind and loving soul who never said anything unkind about anyone. This is why she kindled so many friendships along her journey, not only of her peers but also of her children's friends, and her nieces and nephews. She was the rare soul who could listen without interjecting or judging, though she gave great advice if you asked. She could sing like an angel and dance up a storm, and tell a joke or story that would have you rolling in laughter. Her smile lit up a room. She was exceptional. Mary Jeanne, the Beauty Queen will live on in our hearts forever. The visitation for Mary Jeanne will begin at 9 a.m. with a service at 10 a.m. Saturday, May 30, at Perinchief Chapels, 438 High St., Mount Holly. Interment will follow in Mount Holly Cemetery, Ridgway Street, Mount Holly. A reception will follow at the Burlington County Club, 170 Burrs Road, Westampton.

Mary Jeanne Powell

March 11, 1927 - April 1, 2015