Celebrating the life of
Elvira "Mac" Powers
February 07, 1923 - October 28, 2014
Kind and hospitable to all, warm hearted and compassionate.
Elvira “Mac” Powers, 91, died on Tuesday, October 28, at Spanish Oaks Retreat. Born Feb 7, 1923 in Greenwood, South Carolina to the late Mattox Pickens McCalla, Sr. and Ella Brownlee McCalla. Mac was lovingly raised by her aunt Annie Blake Nickels. She attended Anderson High School and Erskine College in South Carolina. Mac moved to Savannah to work as a secretary/receptionist in the Savannah Shipyard. She married the love of her life, Robert “Chick” Powers (deceased) in October 1950. Mac was a homemaker, secretary at Blessed Sacrament School and parishioner at Blessed Sacrament Church for many years. She never met a stranger and was kind and hospitable to all, warm hearted and compassionate. Mac had as many southern sayings as “Carter’s has pills”.
She is survived by daughters Anne Powers-West, Fran McCarthy and her husband David, Karen “Tugar” Wientge and her husband Joe; sister Ann Anderson of Indianapolis, Indiana; nine grandchildren, 4 great grandchildren with one on the way.
Visitation will be at Blessed Sacrament Church on Friday, October 31, from 5:00 p.m. until 6:30 p.m., with rosary starting at 6:30 p.m.
Mass of Christian Burial will be at Blessed Sacrament Church on Saturday, November 1 at 10:00 a.m. with burial to follow at Hillcrest Abbey Memorial Park Cemetery.
Remembrances may be made to: St. Vincent’s Academy, 207 East Liberty St., Savannah, GA 31401 or the Social Apostolate, 502 East Liberty St., Savannah, GA 31401.
The family wishes to thank the staff of Spanish Oaks Retreat and Melissa McGinn her personal caregiver for the love, compassion and the special care extended to Mac.
To let you know that you are in my thoughts and prayers with the loss of your lovely mother. May God's blessings bring you strength in the days ahead.
- Carolyn Sheehan, Tybee Island, GA
We are so sorry for your loss and that we could not be there. Aunt Elvira was truly special. Remember the good times. Jimmy, Kelly, Madison, Morgan and Ashlee Mom also sends her wishes too!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
- Jimmy and Kelly McCalla, Waxhaw, NC
May the God of comfort grant you his peace in this time of grief and know that death will be no more, neither mourning nor outcry nor pain be any more. The former things have passed away.Revelation 21:3,4
- Henry, lawrenceville, lawrencevilleGA
I Loved singing with Mac. I Loved singing for Mac. She lifted my spirits and I will miss her. Denny
- Denny Smith, Richmond Hill, GA
Ann, Tugar and Fran, I am sorry to learn of your mother's passing. What a sweet, kind lady she was. I have only fond memories of her, as we grew up! My best wishes to you and your families - and warmest regards, Terry
- Terry Ferraro Schwartz, Atlanta/Savannah, GA
Dear family-- I play the piano at Spanish Oaks and one of my fondest memories will be of Mac singing her heart out with us. She was one of the best singers I have ever met and a beautiful person too!
- Johnson, Savannah, GA
Fran and Ann, we were sorry and saddeded to hear of your MOM's passing. We so enjoyed visiting with her when we would come to visit my Dad at Spanish Oaks. A spiritual women who truly cared about others and loved her family with all of her heart. We will miss Mac and we know that she is in a much better place and reunited with your DAD. We pray that GOD will continue to bless and comfort you and your families during this difficult time.
- Richard & Ann Lutz, Savannah, GA
i was thinking about mac yesterday ! her room was across the hall from my husband's room, and when i took him into the front foyer to play the piano for him, she would comment that she enjoyed the music (that she was able to hear from her room.) she was always so cheerful and pleasant... she will be missed.
- esther buchsbaum, savannah, ga
Please know that all of your family are in my prayers. Mac was very special to me. She and Chic welcomed me warmly to Blessed Sacrament School in 1977. I will continue to hold you in prayers. Unfortunately, I will be out of town, beginning early Friday morning for a meeting in North Carolina. Sister Donna Marie
- Sister Donna Marie Coward, Savannah, GA
Tugar, Anne, and Fran, So sorry to hear about your mother. I have great memories growing up next door to your sweet Mom and Dad on 46th Street. You are in my thoughts and prayers.
- Janis Hollingsworth Bowers, Savannah, Ga.
Dear Anne, Tugar, Fran, and families, We are so sorry for the loss of your dear, sweet mother. She was a special lady who was always so kind and caring when we saw her. Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you during this difficult time. Love to all.
- Rod & Vicki Miller, Fayetteville, Ga
So sorry for the loss of my loving and sweet aunt Elvira. She was always sweet to me. We always loved it when all of you came to Lake Secession. Please give everyone a hug from all of us as we will not be able to make the trip. You all are in our prayers. It makes me smile to know that She, Dad, Uncle Mac and Uncle Jim are all together looking down on us. Love you. Johnny, Kelly, Caleb, Carly, Ryan and GABA aka Jean.
- Johnny Mccalla and family, Greenwood, Sc
So sorry to hear about Mac! She was a Mom to anyone who walked in her door, always kind, always patient, even--maybe especially--to a bunch of crazy teenagers. All of you are in my thoughts and prayers. I know how much you'll miss her!
- Cathy Crider Hall, Lilburn, GA
Dear Ann,Fran and Tugar, We were so sorry to learn of your mother's passing. She was a warm and wonderful person.you will be in our thoughts and prayers. Love,Robert and Camille wallden
- Robert and Camille Wallden, Sav, Ga
Dear Anne,Fran,"Tugar" and Families, This news is so sad.We send our sincere sympathy to all of you.Mac was such a kind,caring and loving person.We had SO much fun over the many years with both your Mother and Dad.They will now be together again.As it stands right now we will probably be unable to be at the visitation,but if not you will all be in our thoughts and prayers.Be strong and remember all the fun and happy times you have had together.
- Tom and Judy Mahoney, Savannah, Georgia
Tugar, Anne, and Fran, So many wonderful childhood memories with your Mom -- from 39th Street to 12th Street at Tybee. She always made everyone feel she was so happy to see them. My heart hurts with you and your families today. Love you.
- Therese Powers, Savannah, GA
Her kind, welcoming presence will be missed in our family. She was a lovely aunt and a caring person. Prayers for her and her girls.
- Denise Powers, Rome, Ga
A wonderful person will be laid to rest for just a little while longer and there will be no more death, pain and sorrow Revelation 21:3,4 say the Sovereign Lord Our God will wipe the tears from all faces and death will be no more, neither mourning nor outcry nor pain. The former things have passed away.
- Henry, lawrenceville, GA
Summer vaca in Tybee with Aunt Elvira and Uncle Chick. The match is made again in heaven. We will miss her warmth and her humor! Love to all--Marc and Marian Anderson (and Rob, Emily, Lincoln, Kay, Gearin, Lauren, Jeff, and Jennifer)
- marc anderson, de pere, wi
To let you know that you are in my thoughts and prayers with the loss of your lovely mother. May God's blessings bring you strength in the days ahead.
- Carolyn Sheehan, Tybee Island, GA
We are so sorry for your loss and that we could not be there. Aunt Elvira was truly special. Remember the good times. Jimmy, Kelly, Madison, Morgan and Ashlee Mom also sends her wishes too!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
- Jimmy and Kelly McCalla, Waxhaw, NC
May the God of comfort grant you his peace in this time of grief and know that death will be no more, neither mourning nor outcry nor pain be any more. The former things have passed away.Revelation 21:3,4
- Henry, lawrenceville, lawrencevilleGA
I Loved singing with Mac. I Loved singing for Mac. She lifted my spirits and I will miss her. Denny
- Denny Smith, Richmond Hill, GA
Ann, Tugar and Fran, I am sorry to learn of your mother's passing. What a sweet, kind lady she was. I have only fond memories of her, as we grew up! My best wishes to you and your families - and warmest regards, Terry
- Terry Ferraro Schwartz, Atlanta/Savannah, GA
Dear family-- I play the piano at Spanish Oaks and one of my fondest memories will be of Mac singing her heart out with us. She was one of the best singers I have ever met and a beautiful person too!
- Johnson, Savannah, GA
Fran and Ann, we were sorry and saddeded to hear of your MOM's passing. We so enjoyed visiting with her when we would come to visit my Dad at Spanish Oaks. A spiritual women who truly cared about others and loved her family with all of her heart. We will miss Mac and we know that she is in a much better place and reunited with your DAD. We pray that GOD will continue to bless and comfort you and your families during this difficult time.
- Richard & Ann Lutz, Savannah, GA
i was thinking about mac yesterday ! her room was across the hall from my husband's room, and when i took him into the front foyer to play the piano for him, she would comment that she enjoyed the music (that she was able to hear from her room.) she was always so cheerful and pleasant... she will be missed.
- esther buchsbaum, savannah, ga
Please know that all of your family are in my prayers. Mac was very special to me. She and Chic welcomed me warmly to Blessed Sacrament School in 1977. I will continue to hold you in prayers. Unfortunately, I will be out of town, beginning early Friday morning for a meeting in North Carolina. Sister Donna Marie
- Sister Donna Marie Coward, Savannah, GA
Tugar, Anne, and Fran, So sorry to hear about your mother. I have great memories growing up next door to your sweet Mom and Dad on 46th Street. You are in my thoughts and prayers.
- Janis Hollingsworth Bowers, Savannah, Ga.
Dear Anne, Tugar, Fran, and families, We are so sorry for the loss of your dear, sweet mother. She was a special lady who was always so kind and caring when we saw her. Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you during this difficult time. Love to all.
- Rod & Vicki Miller, Fayetteville, Ga
So sorry for the loss of my loving and sweet aunt Elvira. She was always sweet to me. We always loved it when all of you came to Lake Secession. Please give everyone a hug from all of us as we will not be able to make the trip. You all are in our prayers. It makes me smile to know that She, Dad, Uncle Mac and Uncle Jim are all together looking down on us. Love you. Johnny, Kelly, Caleb, Carly, Ryan and GABA aka Jean.
- Johnny Mccalla and family, Greenwood, Sc
So sorry to hear about Mac! She was a Mom to anyone who walked in her door, always kind, always patient, even--maybe especially--to a bunch of crazy teenagers. All of you are in my thoughts and prayers. I know how much you'll miss her!
- Cathy Crider Hall, Lilburn, GA
Dear Ann,Fran and Tugar, We were so sorry to learn of your mother's passing. She was a warm and wonderful person.you will be in our thoughts and prayers. Love,Robert and Camille wallden
- Robert and Camille Wallden, Sav, Ga
Dear Anne,Fran,"Tugar" and Families, This news is so sad.We send our sincere sympathy to all of you.Mac was such a kind,caring and loving person.We had SO much fun over the many years with both your Mother and Dad.They will now be together again.As it stands right now we will probably be unable to be at the visitation,but if not you will all be in our thoughts and prayers.Be strong and remember all the fun and happy times you have had together.
- Tom and Judy Mahoney, Savannah, Georgia
Tugar, Anne, and Fran, So many wonderful childhood memories with your Mom -- from 39th Street to 12th Street at Tybee. She always made everyone feel she was so happy to see them. My heart hurts with you and your families today. Love you.
- Therese Powers, Savannah, GA
Her kind, welcoming presence will be missed in our family. She was a lovely aunt and a caring person. Prayers for her and her girls.
- Denise Powers, Rome, Ga
A wonderful person will be laid to rest for just a little while longer and there will be no more death, pain and sorrow Revelation 21:3,4 say the Sovereign Lord Our God will wipe the tears from all faces and death will be no more, neither mourning nor outcry nor pain. The former things have passed away.
- Henry, lawrenceville, GA
Summer vaca in Tybee with Aunt Elvira and Uncle Chick. The match is made again in heaven. We will miss her warmth and her humor! Love to all--Marc and Marian Anderson (and Rob, Emily, Lincoln, Kay, Gearin, Lauren, Jeff, and Jennifer)
- marc anderson, de pere, wi
Services under the direction of:
Fox & Weeks Funeral Directors, Hodgson Chapel
912-352-7200
