Susan Leilani Powers

Wife, mother, and virtuous woman, Susan “Sue” Leilani Cole Powers went home to be with the Lord Saturday, April 22, 2023, after a hard-fought battle with cancer. She died in her home in Biloxi, MS, surrounded by loved ones.

Sue was an incredibly intelligent and beautiful woman who loved deeply, gave abundantly of herself to community and family, cherished gift giving (especially at Christmas time), sewed quilts and clothes for those she loved, painted, was a fierce prayer warrior, and could out argue anyone…any time…any place.

Born September 1, 1948, in Honolulu, HI, Sue was the third of six children born to the late Woodrow and Joan Cole of Biloxi. As a child, she lived in Hawaii, Florida, and Alaska as her family traveled with the U.S. Coast Guard before settling in the late 1950s in Biloxi, where she lived the rest of her life.

In 1966, Sue was a senior at Biloxi Senior High School where a handsome football player caught her eye in a sociology class. She smiled and sweet talked her way into the heart of Don Powers and “chased him ’til he caught her.” The two were married June 9, 1967, and moved to Starkville, where Don was enrolled at Mississippi State University. Side by side for nearly 56 years, Sue and Don weathered everything from joys to heartaches, always keeping Christ at the center of their marriage.

With determination and grit, Sue completed her college degree from the University of Southern Mississippi when she was in her 30s with three children at home, graduating summa cum laude. She became a teacher and taught human anatomy and physiology at her alma mater, Biloxi High, for 23 years, contributing to the education of hundreds upon hundreds of young people.

Sue, a devout Christian who read her bible daily and loved to sing hymns, also shared her time, talents, and love as a member of Woolmarket Baptist Church. She was always at the ready with a scripture verse for comfort and strength when needed. Even in her final days, she freely quoted her favorite verse, Romans 8:28, “All things work together for good to those who love God and are called according to His purpose.”

She was a mother to her four children with Don, giving birth first at age 21 and last at age 42.  No mother has ever loved her children more fiercely and completely than Sue. Upon deciding to go into hospice care, she looked Don square in the eye and said, “Defend my children.” To which he swore he always would.

Sue was preceded in death by her parents, Woodrow Wilson Cole and Joan Winnifred Lohr Cole, and her niece, Lauren Leslie Williford. She leaves behind her husband, Don Benton Powers of Biloxi; her children Shelley Powers of Madison, MS, U.S. Coast Guard Commander Beau Powers and his wife Malia of Chesapeake, VA, Benjamin Powers and his fiancée Cassondra Nealon of New Orleans, LA, and Cooper Powers and his wife Erin of New Orleans; her grandchildren Lily Powers and her fiancé Sam Withem of Phoenix, AZ, and Sarah Powers, Luke Powers, Jackson Powers, and Blake Powers, all of Chesapeake; her siblings Ron Cole and his wife Deb of Lithonia, GA, Lynda Cole of Aberdeen, MS, Chris Forbes and her husband Jimmy of Biloxi, Walter Cole and his wife Roxanne of Woolmarket, and Alan Cole and his wife Vicki of Fort Drum, NY; as well as a host of beloved nieces, nephews, and dear friends.

Sue was interred at Coalville Cemetery April 23, 2023, in a quiet family ceremony. A memorial service will be held May 13, 2023, at Woolmarket Baptist Church for friends and loved ones. Visitation will be 10 a.m., followed by the service at 11 a.m.

One time, Mom. We love you all ways and always.