Uncle Wesley... one of 21 kids!

My great uncle, Uncle Wesley, died on Monday night. He was almost 95-- his bday is tomorrow. I went to his funeral today and it was amazing. Besides my grandfather's funeral (who died when I was 10), I've never seen a chapel so packed for a funeral. That's how I want my funeral to be. I'd like to live in such a way that lots of people would want to come celebrate my life. Yikes. That's a pretty big goal! I'll see what I can do!

Here is Wesley's obit from the Richmond Times Dispatch:

Wesley Powers spent a lifetime explaining his middle name, Lorraine.

He had a cousin whose girlfriend's name was Lorraine, and the cousin recommended it for the middle name of Thomas and Lydia Lockett Amos Powers' 13th child. The parents accepted the suggestion.

His debut into the world on Jan. 10, 1914, one of what would be 21 children the couple welcomed into their home, a converted and expanded store on their tobacco farm near Oilville.

Mr. Powers, who was 94 when he died Monday, will be remembered at a funeral today, Friday, at 11 a.m. at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints' Monument Chapel, 5600 Monument Ave. Burial will be in Westhampton Memorial Park.

As a young man, Mr. Powers worked in his father's tobacco fields.

An avid sportsman, he played baseball a large part of his life -- he pitched and played first base and outfield in leagues in Richmond and for a church team. When he was not playing, he umpired, said a niece, Lora Watkins of Chesterfield County.

Mr. Powers left home at 22 for Richmond and worked on the building of the highway from Richmond to Oilville, Watkins said.

He later drove a streetcar in Richmond, worked at American Oil Co. for 18 years and tried his hand at insurance but didn't like sales. He spent most of his career at Commonwealth Propane Gas, where he retired after 24 years.

All of his life he had tended a vegetable garden on the old farm property with a brother, Elijah Powers. After leaving Oilville, he went back frequently over the next 35 years, keeping up the garden even though he no longer lived there.

Along the way, Mr. Powers, who was a lifelong member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, served as a counselor in several bishoprics in the old Richmond and old Richmond Third wards or congregations.

He served in elders quorum presidencies and on the Richmond Stake High Council, which helps a three-man presidency preside over a stake or diocese.

"Uncle Wesley," as he was called by youngsters in and out of the church, worked closely with the youth of the church for decades.

He was about 86 when he chaperoned the last of more than 30 youth conferences, one for every year he worked in the church's Mutual Improvement Association for youth ages 12 to 18.

Survivors include his wife of 68½ years, Edna Dorothy Sheridan Powers; and three brothers, Willie Delaware Powers of Sandy Hook, Otto Miller Powers of Oilville and Howard Embry "Mickey" Powers of Henrico.


Honestly, there were 21 kids in that family! Well, my great-great-grandma gave birth to 21 kids, but two were still-born and one died at 6 months of pneumonia. A book was recently published about this family (the Powers) and I'm starting to understand a little more how I'm related to so many people in wards around Richmond.

One story told today was really inspiring. There was a man who showed up at church one day. He had served a mission in Richmond from 1892-1894. He went home from his mission discouraged because he only had baptized a dirt farmer and his wife (both were in their teens). Those were the only two baptisms he had performed his entire mission. This man was asked to speak in the Sacrament meeting the next day in Richmond. He asked how many people were related to the Powers--the couple he baptized. About 1/3 of the ward stood up.

This man had no idea what good he had done. The couple he baptized raised more than 18 children who pretty much all raised their children in the gospel. Just goes to show you don't know how much good you can do by opening your mouth. I consider my great-great-grandparents pioneers for all of the people that have joined the church because of them.

It's been really good for me to be home at this time. I've learned quite a bit about my ancestors and have come to appreciate them more. I'm also related to Pocahontas (my 16th-great-grandma), but that's another post!