HURRICANE, W.V. – Billie Jewel Powell Wood, 61, wife of retired Army Maj. Michael Carol Wood Sr., lost a long courageous battle with cancer Thursday, Aug 28, 2014, under the care of “Angels” at Hubbard Hospice House, Charleston, WV.

Born in Saluda, SC, Jewel was reared by her guardian parents, Billy and Mattie Parker. She was a daughter of the late John Rhett Sr. and Alma Story Powell.

Jewel was a graduate of Strom Thurmond High School, and Webster University. She was a housewife, and loyally served as a military wife for 27 years. Jewel loved flower gardening, spending time with her grandchildren, and traveling with her husband and mother-in-love. She loved all things beautiful was talkative, and was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, daughter, sister and friend.

Surviving are her husband of 43 years; a son, Michael (Jessica) Wood of Edgefield, SC; a daughter, Mechelle (Rick) Wood-Romero of Hurricane; her guardian parents of Johnston, SC; eight grandchildren, Dakota, Michaela and Tyler Romero of Hurricane, Shannon, Audrey, Lila and Trinity Wood and Waylon Wood of Edgefield; a sister, Gwyn (Alfred) Rodgers of Saluda, SC; two brothers, Albert Powell and Duane Powell; her mother-in-love and dear friend, Joyce Ann Wood of Frankfort, KY; two sisters-in-love, Jackie (John) Wood Black of Lawrenceville, KY, and Lori (Devin) Wood Sothan of Cave Creek, AZ; and many nephews, nieces, other relatives, military family and friends.

She was preceded in death by two brothers, John Rhett Powell Jr., and Dwight Anthony Powell Sr.

A celebration of life service and visitation will be held from 5-7 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 4 in the Chapel of Bland Funeral Home, Johnston. A private interment will be held in Mt. of Olives Cemetery, the Parker Family Plot, Johnston.

In lieu of flowers the family requests memorials be made in Jewel’s name to Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 758517, Topeka, KS 66675: or to make an online memorial go to:woundedwarriorproject.org.

Chapman Funeral Home of Hurricane, and Bland Funeral Home of Johnston were in charge of arrangements.