Dorothy Mae Baer Powell, 84, went to be with the Lord October 14, 2013. She was a resident of VMRC in Harrisonburg formerly of Amelia. Born on January 10, 1929 to the late Jacob Elton Baer and Esther Hahn Baer Burkholder. She was preceded in death by her husband Samuel J. Powell, Jr.; sister, Esther Mabel Baer Yoder. She is survived by children, Patricia Powell Tiller (Opie) of Salem, Samuel J. Powell, III (Susan) of Amela, Linda Powell Sheets (William) of Sandston, David L. Powell (Krista) of Waynesboro; brothers, Jacob Elton Baer, Jr., Nelson D. Baer (Kathryn) all of Newport News; brother-in-law, John David Yoder; eight grandchildren; eight great grandchildren. The family will receive friends Thursday from 6 to 8 pm at the Bennett & Barden Funeral Home, 3215 Anderson Hwy. (Rt. 60), Powhatan. Funeral Services will be held Friday 11 am in the Powhatan Mennonite Church. Interment church cemetery. Also a memorial service will be held October 25, (Friday) at 3:30 PM in Strite Auditorium at VMRC. Dorothy was a devout Christian, was active for many years in Powhatan Mennonite Church and more recently in Lindale Mennonite Church, Harrisonburg. She was involved in children's and women's ministries and for thirteen years served as a lay chaplain in women's prisons. Her experience as a certified Biblical counselor and her godly wisdom guided many women toward spiritual and emotional wholeness. Awards for her paintings and weaving, included recognizing her artistic gifts, and her literary talent found expression in Then There Were Twelve, a book about her mother-in-law's childhood. She also volunteered in a Harrisonburg literacy program. Although she lived an active and productive life, perhaps the essence of this versatile and gifted woman is seen most clearly in her giving character and beautiful gentle spirit which graced the lives of so many.
Service:
Friday, October 18, 2013
11:00am
Powhatan Mennonite Church
3540 Old Buckingham Rd.
Powhatan, Va. 23139
Visitation:
Thursday, October 17, 2013
6:00 to 8:00pm
Bennett & Barden Funeral Home