Shelvy Jean Powell

Shelvy Jean Powell, 84, of Chesterfield, VA passed away on Wednesday, July 26, 2023. She was the daughter of the late Atwell A. and Florence Pearson Bennett. She was also preceded in death by three siblings, Sherman Bennett, Catherine McAdams, and Wilson Bennett.

Shelvy, known to most as Jean, lived a full and active life. She was never afraid to take on an adventure and, after marrying and moving to the Richmond area in the 1950's from her childhood home in Greensville County, VA, she busied herself learning new skills and taking up hobbies. Dabbling successfully in painting, crafting, singing, baking and playing the autoharp, she also enjoyed spending time with her young family and making her home a welcoming place to visit for all her loved ones. Jean spent many years as a seamstress, either mending, tailoring and making clothes for friends and family or through her long-term employment with a respected local uniform company, sewing thousands of uniforms for police and first responders throughout the Richmond area. In her later years, Jean threw herself into volunteer work. Many remember her fondly from her time with the Chesterfield Moose Lodge or her work with the Mid-Cities Civic Association, but her greatest enjoyment came from her time with the Bensley Bermuda Volunteer Rescue Squad Auxiliary. Over the years, Jean could be found at the Squad, helping host fundraisers and supporting the volunteer first responders; smiling from behind the bingo table or at the Auxiliary food truck at the Chesterfield County Fair; or helping families capture memories during the Auxiliary's annual "Picture Project." Jean rose in office both in the Bensley-Bermuda Auxiliary and at the District and State levels of the Virginia Association of Volunteer Rescue Squad Auxiliaries, serving at different times as Secretary, Treasurer, Vice President and President, eventually becoming a Life Member. A member of Bellwood Baptist Church for over 40 years, Jean also took time to lead by her faith and shined in the congregation as a choir member, a devoted participant in the Women on Missions program, and an ever-present, helpful face in the fellowship hall kitchen. Despite all of these activities and accomplishments, Jean's greatest pride was her family and she loved nothing more than spending time with all of them, hosting holidays, planning decades worth of family vacations, and never failing to provide a loving embrace or a strong dose of her wise advice. "Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all." (Proverbs 31:29)

Shelvy is survived by her loving husband of 67 years, Carlton W. Powell; her son, Stephen Powell and his wife, Tammy; her daughter, Christy Sawyer; six grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; her brother, Alton Bennett; and numerous nieces and nephews.

The family will receive friends at the J.T. Morriss & Son - Chester Chapel on Saturday, August 12th at 10:00 am, with a memorial service to follow at 11:00 a.m. Inurnment will follow at Sunset Memorial Park.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks for donations to Bensley Bermuda Volunteer Rescue Squad Auxiliary. Donations can be sent by mail to Bensley Bermuda Volunteer Rescue Squad, Inc. P.O. Box 3360 Chester, VA 23836 or made online at https://www.bbvrs.net/donate.html .