Jean Tucker Powell

Jean Tucker Powell, age 96, passed away peacefully on Saturday, August 2, 2025.

Born on September 17, 1928, in Erwin, Tennessee, Jean was the daughter of the late W.I. Tucker, Jr. and the late Ruth Allison Tucker. She was also preceded in death by her beloved husband, James Tillman "Jim" Powell, Jr.

Jean was a devoted wife, mother, and friend. She was a solid and steady presence whose life was centered around caring for her family, especially her boys. She and her husband Jim shared a deep bond with a close circle of lifelong friends, many of whom they considered family.

Jean attended Virginia Intermont College and Western Carolina Teachers College. Over the years, she enjoyed traveling extensively throughout the world. Jean was a devoted member of Canton First Baptist Church where she was a longtime active Sunday School teacher for both young women and adults. She was active in her community and cherished her time with the Canton Garden Club, the Lunch Bunch, the Springdale Women’s Golf Club, the Midway Bowling Coffee League, and her Bridge group.

With grace and humility, Jean supported Jim in his leadership roles within the hardwood industry and was a stellar example of a First Lady in these roles. She had an effortless ability to connect with people and always made others feel welcome.

Her strength and warmth will be remembered by all who knew her.

Surviving are her three sons, James T. "Jimmy" Powell, III and his wife Sharon, Gerald W. "Jerry" Powell and his wife Deb, and Jeffrey B. Powell and Sharon Fish Marshall, all of Canton; five grandchildren, Ben Powell and his wife Heather of Canton, Lauren Carr and her husband Alex of Asheville, Jeff Powell, Jr. and his wife Maggie, of Canton, David Powell of Canton, and Shay Norman and her husband Bragg of Fines Creek; and great-grandchildren, Olivia Powell, Jack Carr, Carolina Powell, Allie Carr, Ellie Powell, Price Norman, Jo Powell, Lincoln Norman, and Tucker Powell.

The funeral service to honor Jean's life and legacy will be held at 2:00 p.m. Wednesday, August 6, 2025 in the Canton chapel of Wells Funeral Home. The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 12:30 p.m. to 1:45 p.m. prior to the service. Pastor Court Greene will be officiating. Interment will follow at Bon-A-Venture Cemetery on Old Clyde Road.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in memory of Jean Tucker Powell to First Baptist Church of Canton, 208 Academy St, Canton, NC 28716.

The care of Mrs. Powell has been entrusted to Wells Funeral Home of Canton.