Jo was born on January 8, 1937, in Lake Village, Arkansas. She is preceded in death by her husband of 59 years, William James Powers, Jr.; her parents, Santo and Mary Forte of Lake Village, Arkansas; and brother, Dr. Theodore Louis Forte of Norfolk, Virginia.
Jo is survived by her children, William Powers, III (Patricia) of Roswell, Georgia, Kelly Roveda Krecker (Martin) of Mobile, Alabama, and Matthew Powers (Brady Anne) of Gulfport, Mississippi; grandchildren, Sarah Hungler (Austin) of Sanford, Florida, David Roveda (Abigail) of Daphne, Alabama, Catherine Wentworth (David) of Troy, Alabama, special granddaughter Julianna Roveda of Mobile, Alabama, Patrick Powers of New Orleans, Louisiana, and Colin Powers of Gulfport, Mississippi; and great-grandchildren, George and Joey Roveda of Daphne, Alabama, and Lucy, Judah, and Maria Wentworth of Troy, Alabama.
Jo spent most of her life generously and energetically pouring love into others, especially her husband, children, and grandchildren, but also hundreds of Mississippi schoolchildren throughout her teaching career. Her heart was a deep well of charity, sourced by lifelong devotion to her Catholic faith. Jo was a longtime parishioner, daily communicant, volunteer, and employee of Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Pascagoula, Mississippi. In later years she attended both Saint Joseph the Worker Catholic Church in Moss Point, Mississippi and Little Flower Catholic Church in Mobile, Alabama.
In recent years of declining health, Jo learned to receive an abundance of charitable and life giving love from family, neighbors, and caregivers with grace and humility. We, her family, are so deeply appreciative to all her compassionate caregivers at The Retreat Hospice by Saad, USA Health Providence Hospital, Southern Living Assistance Services, Notre Dame Hospice, Singing River Hospital Services, and Kare-In-Home. Witnessing your tender loving care of Jo and coming to know many of you has greatly enriched our lives and expanded our hearts. God bless you all – Numbers 6:24-26.
Jo will be fondly remembered and sorely missed by all who knew and loved her. A Mass of Remembrance is scheduled on September 3, 2024, at 11:00 am, at Little Flower Catholic Church in Mobile, Alabama. A Rosary will be offered prior to the Mass at 10:30 am. Interment will be at Saint Isidore Catholic Cemetery in Lake Village, Arkansas, at a later date.
The family requests those who wish to express sympathy consider donating in memory of Jo to one of the following: Little Flower Catholic Church, 2053 Government Street, Mobile, Alabama 36606; Most Holy Trinity Catholic Church Building Fund, 9062 Kiln Delisle Road, Pass Christian, Mississippi 39571; or Saint Joseph Abbey (Abbey General Fund), 75376 River Road, Saint Benedict, Louisiana 70457, whose monks hand-crafted the casket in which Jo will be interred.
