Mary Francis Powell

Mary Francis Powell, 79, passed away on Monday, March 25, 2024, at her home with her loving husband of more than 60 years, Malcolm Powell, at her side after a valiant fight with dementia. She was born in Baltimore, Maryland, on October 31, 1944, to the late Bennie Frank Deane, Sr. and Wilma May Deane. She was preceded in death by her brother, Bennie Frank Deane, Jr., and sisters, Lois Carol Dean and Darthy Ann Gardner. 

Mary Francis graduated from William Monroe High School and was a member of her local Beta Club. Her contagious personality led her to become involved in everything—from beauty pageants to drag car racing! She was very pleasant to be around, with a quick and, at times, sarcastic sense of humor. Her Halloween birthday gave her plenty of reasons to be a bit of a prankster.  

Mary Francis worked part-time for her local newspaper, The Greene County Record, as an assistant to attorney David Dickey. She graciously managed all the responsibilities of being a pastor’s wife at Bacon Hollow Baptist church, including hosting visiting preachers and evangelists and coordinating charitable events – which typically included her signature homemade biscuits! She deeply believed in Jesus and his salvation and was greatly loved by her family and community. 

Her other interests included ladies’ groups, lunches with her sisters, and games of Phase 10. She loved puzzles, sewing, crafting, country and gospel music, and Elvis. Virginia Beach was her happy place!  

Mary Francis is survived by her husband, Malcolm. They raised five children, their own: Carla P. (Trevor) Hepler, Mary Ellen, and Stephen (Angie) Powell, as well as grandchildren Kimberly and Elena, who lovingly knew her as mother and called her “MOM.” She also leaves behind four other grandchildren, six great-grandchildren, and siblings Janice Lorraine (Roger) Powell and Larry Elliot Deane. 

The family will be forgoing a service, with plans for a memorial service to be arranged at a later date. 

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the Hospice of the Piedmont or All Blessings Flow in Charlottesville, VA. We will be forever grateful for their service to our family and the community. 

Arrangements are entrusted to Batten Funeral Home of Ruckersville, Virginia.

An online guestbook is available at www.battenfuneral.com.