Wildred Heron Powers

Wildred Heron Powers, wife of the late Russell Jean Powers, passed peacefully on Saturday, December 23, 2023. Born on September 1, 1933, she was the daughter of the late Ulma Goff Heron and Charlie Gilliam Heron of Columbia. Wildred and Jean met and became sweethearts while at Columbia High School, then married in 1952. Their life together brought them great joy as they raised three children, traveled all across the country in their RV, camped, cheered on the Gamecocks, read avidly, and worshiped God together. Wildred attended Furman University and was a private piano teacher for over 30 years. She delighted in keeping in touch with many of her students over the years. For more than 20 years, she and Jean taught Sunday School to college students at Park Street Baptist Church then at First Baptist Church, Columbia. They hosted dozens of gatherings for students at their home - Sunday dinners, tailgate parties, and fellowships. They were active members of the Joy of Living class at First Baptist. One of Wildred’s claims to fame was her legendary baking for the SC State Fair. Over the years, she won countless blue ribbons for her cookies, biscuits, candies, and cakes. Her love of reading led her to help establish the St. Andrews Community Library, which eventually became the local branch of the Richland County Public Library. She was admired by her family and friends for being an engaging, intelligent, fierce woman whose depth of knowledge about many subjects always kept conversations lively. Even until her final days, her lifelong struggles with Rheumatoid Arthritis and Lupus never dimmed the love and liveliness that she brought to those she loved. Wildred is survived by her children: Mark and Kay Powers of Hendersonville, NC, Jeannie and Mike Glenn of Franklin TN, and Joel and Deborah Powers of Cayce, SC.; grandchildren: Jeremy Powers, Lauren and A.T. Cason, Chris and Deb Glenn, Craig and Nan Glenn, Claire and Cam Fedei, Blake and Bailey Powers, and Christopher Powers; great-grandchildren: Kate, Ali, and Jack Powers, Mackenzie and Brook Glenn, Rowen and Walker Glenn, Vesper Fedei, Sam, Noah, Cara Jane, and Harper Powers, and Margo and Elias Powers. A memorial service will be held at Temples-Halloran Funeral Home, 5400 Bush River Road, Irmo at 3:00, Saturday, January 6, 2024. Visitation will be held prior to the service at 2:00. A private burial will be held on the morning of January 6. Memorials may be sent to The Rowen Glenn Center for Special Needs, Brentwood Baptist Church, 7777 Concord Road, Brentwood, TN 37027 or to Richland Library Friends and Foundation, 1431 Assembly Street, Columbia, SC 29201 or online at www.richlandlibrary.com/donate-richland-library-friends-and-foundation.