Edith Berniece “Bernie” Powers passed into her heavenly home on May 12, 2026, which was a beautiful, sunny, spring day in southwest Ohio. She was born on May 1, 1929, to the late Sylvester Oliver and Evelyn Marie (nee Stanton) Lute in Pike County Ohio. Her parents, Husband Warren Allen Powers, Sister Betty Conner and Daughter-in-Law Michelle Quigley McKean preceded her in death. She is survived by her sons Terry (Miriam) Powers of Beavercreek, Ohio and Todd (Erin) Powers of Flushing, Michigan; Grandchildren Sabrina (Velia) Powers of Upper Arlington, Ohio, David Powers of Courtice, Ontario, Micaela Powers of Westerville, Ohio and Allison Powers of Winnipeg, Manitoba; Step-Grandchildren Sydney, Michael, Paige and Grace Robbins of Flushing, Michigan; Step-Grandchildren Megan (Cody) Phillips and Morgan (Justin) Walton, both of Atlanta Georgia.

She adored and always wanted the best for her grandchildren- Sabrina, David, Micaela and Allison. They affectionately referred to her as “Meem”.

Her extended family was an important part of her life- especially the Lute Cousins and their Families. Her closest living relatives include bother-in-law Jack Conner of Knoxville, Tennessee, niece Julie & Ronnie Bradshaw of Knoxville, Tennessee, nephew Nathan Conner (fiancée Debbie Christopher) of Pike County, Ohio; cousin and globetrotting partner Marilyn Kay Williams of Centerville, Ohio; cousin Mike and Marsha Roney of Beavercreek, Ohio; and niece Cheryl and Carlos Marquez of Columbus, Ohio.

Many other cousins, nieces, nephews and their families scattered around the USA were always in her thoughts.

Bernie graduated from Piketon High School in 1947. She continued her studies in Business at Ohio State University in Columbus. Her career included working at a Brokerage Firm, Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company (where she met her husband Warren) and Wright Patterson Air Force Base, from where she eventually retired. She had a long and dedicated career and received many Outstanding and Sustained Superior Performance Reviews for which she was proud.

Bernie participated in many civic activities in the Greene County Ohio Area. She was a member of the American Business Womens Association for over 45 years, an organization that promoted working women, women business owners and young women to further their education and careers. A loyal member of the Republican Party, she worked at the local level to promote party pursuits, including supporting the activities of Governor Mike Dewine. She will be missed by her many friends in the community that were developed over the years.

Rooted in strong convictions throughout her life, she also showed that the heart can continue to expand through love, family and human connection. In her later years especially, the people who surrounded and cared for her helped reflect a quieter truth she came to embrace- that dignity, kindness, and belonging transcend background, appearances and differences of opinion.

Services will be held at 11am, Tuesday, May 26, at Neeld Funeral Home, 1276 N. Detroit St., Xenia. Visitation will be held from 10am Tuesday, until service time. Entombment will be in Valley View Memorial Gardens Mausoleum, Xenia. In lieu of flowers, Bernie has requested folks to make contributions to: Mt. Olive Community Church, 1667 Camp Creek Rd., Lucasville, OH 45648, Her Story House, P.O. Box 212, Xenia, OH 45385 or to Family Promise of Greene County, 124 S. Detroit Street, Xenia, OH 45385.Condolences may be made to the family at www.NeeldFuneral Home.com.