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Nov. 4, 1914 – March 22, 2015

NATCHEZ — A celebration of life funeral mass for Jo Ella St. John Powlett, 100, who died Sunday, March 22, 2015, in Alexandria, La., will be at 11 a.m. Thursday at Assumption Catholic Church with the Rev. David O’Connor officiating.

Burial will follow at the Natchez City Cemetery under the direction of Laird Funeral Home.

Visitation will be at 10 a.m. until service time Thursday at the church.

Mrs. Powlett was born Nov. 4, 1914, in Natchez, the youngest daughter of Benton Alexander St. John and Imogene Hess St. John.

She lived in Natchez until the final years of her life. She married Brown Powlett in 1942, and together they owned and operated Powlett’s Dairy and Farm.

Mrs. Powlett was actively involved in her community and her church, serving on the altar society of St. Mary Basilica and as president of the alter society and Eucharist minister at Assumption Parish.

She was a charter member of the Pilgrimage Garden Club and reigned as their queen in 1939 and her future husband reigning as king. She was also an active member of the Natchez Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution.

Mrs. Powlett was preceded in death by her husband; her parents; her son, George Benton Powlett, and two sisters, Dorothy St. John Stone and Aurelia St. John Tobias.

Survivors include one daughter, Genie Powlett Percy and husband, Mike, of Alexandria; one granddaughter, Caroline Percy Moore and husband, Scott, of Austin, Texas; three grandsons, Michael Percy Jr. and wife, Lauren, and their children, Will and Ella Claire of Austin, Ben Powlett and wife, Lisa, and their children, Ella and Anna of Jackson and Steve Powlett and wife, Sandy, of Jackson; three nieces; and one nephew and their families.

The family wishes to thank Dr. Bruce Barton, the staff of Emeritus of Alexandria, the Rev. Dan O’Connor of Prompt Succor Parish and Compassionate Care Hospice for their care and support.

Pallbearers will be Ben Powlett, Steve Powlett, Michael Percy Jr., Scott Moore, Wade Jones and August Stone Jr.

Honorary pallbearers will be Charles R. Byrnes Jr. and Frank R. Bolton Jr.

Memorials may be made to Assumption Parish Church, 10 Morgantown Road, Natchez, MS 39120 or to a charity of choice.

Online condolences may be sent to lairdfh.com.