Mary Moody Sylvester Powell

Mary Moody Sylvester Powell, 91, of Nesbit, MS went to be with the Lord on February 28, 2025. Mary was born in Hattiesburg, MS on April 3, 1933 to W. A. (Billy) Moody and Helen Jane Moody. She graduated from Hattiesburg High School in 1951. She was Secretary of her class and Miss Hattiesburg High School. She attended the University of Southern Mississippi where she met and married James L. Sylvester. They moved to Laurel and began raising four children. She was widowed in 1964. She later married Athur Powell, a Laurel widower, with three children. She helped him raise his three children along with her four. She worked as manager of Laurel Typewriter Company and then in accounting at several Laurel businesses. She was a beloved Sunday School teacher for many years and very knowledgeable about the Bible. Her hobbies were reading and genealogy. After her retirement and the death of her husband, Athur, she moved to Nesbit, MS to live with her son, Dr. James L. (Larry) Sylvester and daughter-in-law, Pat. Pat and Larry gave her excellent care as she aged. Mary was preceded in death by her husbands, James Sylvester and Athur Powell; her son, Dr. James L. (Larry) Sylvester; her daughters, Linda Sylvester Newman (John) and Frances Sylvester Hollums (Larry); and two grandsons, Trey Sylvester (Kaitlyn) and Dylan Walker (Alyssa). She is survived by sister, Carolyn Mills (Wayne); daughters, Kerry Sylvester Walker (Layke), Betsy Powell Campany (Nelson) and Kathy Powell Foley; and by one son, William Powell (Teresa); daughter-in-law, Pat Sylvester; grandchildren, Angie Dobson, Tom Smith III (Leah), Alecia Garcia (Mario), Damien Sumrall (Sara), Hannah Craft (Jeff), Port Campany (Brooks), Miles Foley (Dayna), Haylie St. Angelo (Bradley), Frankie Powell (Bil), Peggy Padilla (Arturo), Roger Powell, Carter Powell, and Cain Powell; and by 21 great grandchildren. She was a Godsend to her seven children and all who knew her. She will be missed greatly. Arrangements are being made by Memory Chapel in Laurel for a private family visitation and graveside service. Dr. J. R. Eaton will officiate. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to the charity of your choice. To sign the online guest book, visit www.memorychapellaurel.com.

Mary Moody Sylvester Powell

April 3, 1933 - February 28, 2025