Jessica Marie Powers

Jessica Marie Powers, age 42, of Summerville, South Carolina, passed away unexpectedly on August 23, 2026, following a tragic accident.

Jessica was a beloved daughter, mother, sister, sister-in-law, aunt, niece, and best friend. She was strong-willed, outspoken, independent, stubborn, fearless, and never afraid to speak her mind. Beneath her strong exterior was a soft and loving heart. She was protective, generous, selfless, fiercely loyal, and deeply caring toward those she loved. Born in Whittier, California, Jessica lived in California, Georgia, Washington, and South Carolina and traveled throughout the country. She loved road trips, driving, the beach, camping, and exploring new places. She loved being on the move and making memories wherever the road took her. Jessica was funny, playful, mischievous, adventurous, and fearless. Her father loved telling the story of Jessica as a young child chasing after a bear because she wanted to pet and hug it—a story that captured her perfectly. She was curious, fearless, and seemingly unaware that some things were better admired from a safe distance. That adventurous spirit remained with her throughout her life. She loved excitement, spontaneity, laughter, and turning ordinary moments into unforgettable memories. Jessica had a huge heart and naturally put others before herself. She wanted everyone around her to be happy, comfortable, and cared for. She had a special love for children, animals, and the elderly. She rescued and re-homed stray animals, helped those who were struggling, and often saw good in people when others did not. She rarely met a stranger and had a gift for making people feel seen. Jessica could also read people remarkably well. She often knew when someone was hurting, struggling, or simply wasn't okay, even when they tried to hide it. She noticed what others didn't say and instinctively knew when someone needed comfort or someone to stand beside them. Her compassion was one of the qualities that made her unforgettable.

Jessica's greatest wish was to become a mother. Becoming a mother to her beloved daughter, Joylene Powers, was one of the most important and meaningful parts of her life. To the children in her family, she was lovingly known as “Auntie Jessy” and “Auntie Mama.” She cherished her children, nieces, nephews, and every child she welcomed into her heart. Jessica had a genuine passion for caring for others. She pursued her education through the MUSC School of Nursing and became a Certified Medical Assistant. She and her sister, Janelle, shared a dream of pursuing nursing and one day working side by side. Jessica loved writing and often expressed her feelings through letters and poems. She enjoyed playing Monopoly and could be fiercely competitive. Music was also important to her. She loved rap, especially 2Pac, along with country, rock, and R&B. Family was at the center of Jessica's world. Her bond with her brother, Jason Powers, was deep and enduring. They were especially close as children, and although they shared the disagreements and complexities of siblings, their love and loyalty never disappeared. Jason was Jessica's protector, and Jessica was his. She was proud of him and loved him deeply. Jessica loved her parents, Patrick and Cynthia “Cindy” Powers, fiercely. She was both a mommy's girl and a daddy's girl and would do anything she could to help, protect, and care for them. As their second child and first daughter, she kept them on their toes for 42 years, but beneath every challenge was an undeniable love. Her relationship with her sister, Janelle Johnson, was extraordinary. They were sisters, best friends, confidants, and protectors of one another. It was rare to see one without the other. They shared laughter, adventures, disagreements, forgiveness, and countless memories. They were each other's people. Jessica lovingly referred to Janelle as her daughter, and Janelle will forever carry the unique bond they shared Jessica loved her aunts, uncles, and cousins deeply. No matter where she lived or how far she traveled, she remained connected to her family. Distance could never erase the love she carried for them. Jessica was also blessed with a special friendship with Maria, who shared a bond with Jessica and Janelle for more than 18 years. Maria became family—a sister to both of them. Their relationship was built on love, loyalty, laughter, memories, and sisterhood and will remain a treasured part of Jessica's story.

Jessica was a fighter. She faced many difficult battles throughout her life, including living with schizophrenia for more than 15 years. Those struggles were part of her story, but they never defined who she was. She gave so much of herself to others while often asking for very little in return. Even when she was struggling, she tried to make sure the people around her were okay. In the later part of her life, Jessica was becoming closer to God and seeking a deeper spiritual connection. Her family finds comfort in believing that she is now free from the suffering and battles she carried and has finally found the peace she was searching for.

Jessica leaves behind her beloved daughter, Joylene Powers; her father, Patrick Powers; her brother, Jason (Cathy) Powers, sister and best friend, Janelle (Douglas) Johnson, her nieces and nephews, Jalen, Juliette, Jazlyn, Gabriella, Vincent Tyler, and Douglas. She also leaves behind beloved aunts, uncles, cousins, extended family members, lifelong friends, and countless others whose lives she touched. She made mistakes, faced battles, helped others, rescued animals, brought laughter, offered comfort, and left behind memories that will never fade.

She was a fighter, protector, caretaker, jokester, daughter,sister, mother, aunt, friend, & so much more. Jessica deserved more time to continue growing, healing, loving her daughter, pursuing her dreams, and finding peace. She will live on through Joylene, through the family and friends who loved her, through the children she cherished, and through every life she touched. We will speak her name. We will tell her stories. We will laugh about the things only Jessica could get away with. We will remember her stubbornness, strength, humor, adventures, huge heart, and all the little things that made her uniquely Jessica.

“I love you, Mommy, and I miss you.” — Joylene

We hope you're with Mom now, together again, and that she was there to welcome you home. We pray that God has mercy on you, receives you with love, and welcomes you home. May you and Mom watch over us, protect us, love us, and guide our family.