ROCHESTER – Delores L. Powers, 82, passed away Saturday, November 4, 2023, at her home with her family and her beloved dog, Amos, by her side.

Delores was born number 12 in the Prior family of 13 to Alvie "Dutch" and Blanche (Womack) Prior on December 18, 1940. That meant she had 7 older brothers and 4 older sisters to show her the ropes on the farm. Then came along baby brother, Roger, 7 years later. On October 15, 1957, in Booneville, Mississippi, she married John F. Powers Sr. and went on to have 5 children, Johnnie, Lennie, Vickie, Mark and Charlene. Some of our favorite childhood stories were of mom telling us how such a large family lived in that farmhouse on the hill. Sunday's were always a morning of church followed by grandma and grandpa Prior, all the kids and grandkids sitting down to an enormous family dinner. Obviously, mom paid very close attention when grandma Prior was teaching because she was an amazing cook. Another of her amazing talents that cannot go unmentioned was her ability literally clear out the entire house when she proclaimed "don't make any plans because we are cleaning house today". She took great pride in having an immaculate home in spite of having her 5 heathen kids constantly making messes. Not to mention taking the responsibility to raise her granddaughter, Cheri Lynn.  As a group we seriously considered unionizing in an effort of better working conditions and equal pay but soon realized she could never be overruled. Mom loved her family endlessly and was always ready to help whenever needed. She was blessed to be known as "Meme" to 13 grandchildren, 23 great-grandchildren and 3 great-great grandchildren.

Delores was self-employed as an in-home caregiver for many years. She was a former member of Buffalo Christian Church and attended South Tower Community Church. She loved spending an afternoon in her flower gardens and was well known for her green thumb and collection of beautiful rocks.

She was preceded in death by her husband, John F. Powers Sr.; an infant daughter; son, Mark Q. Powers; daughter, Vickie D. Landholt; granddaughter, Shelby Collete Powers; grandson, Bryan James Landholt; son-in-law, Kurt Landholt; brothers, Alvie Prior, Jr., Rolly "Bub" Prior, Raymond Prior, George Prior, Bobby Prior, Donald Prior and Eddie Prior; and sisters, Grace Griffin, Dolly Hout, Shirley Billbe and Donna Lavonne Fishburn.

She is survived by her children, John F. (Susan) Powers, Jr., Levi Powers and Charlene (Michael) Walsh; grandchildren, John F. Powers III, Cheri Lynn Plummer, Nathan Roach, Kevin Powers, Levi L. Powers Jr.  Aaron Powers, Eric Powers, Meagan Powers, Wesley Powers, Kyle Landholt and Patrick Powers; brother, Roger (Doris) Prior and many nieces and nephews.

A graveside service will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, November 9, 2023, at Mechanicsburg Cemetery, with Pastor Matt Gray officiating.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to: Hands of God Hospice, 1500 N. 5th Street, Springfield, IL 62702.

The family invites everyone to join them for a potluck at South Tower Community Church, 1350 South Tower Road, Dawson, IL directly after the service.