Phyllis Jean (Jensen) Powell

Phyllis Jean Jensen Powell passed away at the age of 79 on February 26, 2025. She was born April 17, 1945, in Hawthorne NV to George and Ruth Jensen. After graduating from Mineral County High School in 1963, Phyllis attended Ponce’ College of Beauty in Reno, NV.

Phyllis married Hyrum Jae Mecham in 1964. Phyllis and Jae had three children together, Cheri, Richard and Lisa Denae. Phyllis and Jae later divorced in 1984.

Phyllis met and married Norman Owen Powell in 1985. Norman had two children, Rick and James Powell, bringing the total to five children in the family.

Phyllis worked many jobs, but her favorite was in accounting at Baldini’s Sports Casino in Reno, NV. Phyllis volunteered in many organizations such as PTA, as a softball coach, Search and Rescue Searchettes, Girl Scouts and American Legion Auxillary. She loved being a Girl Scout Leader and Neighborhood Chairman. She enjoyed fishing, reading, crocheting and doing puzzles.

One of Phyllis’ most treasured memories was of how Norman proposed to her. She would recount that on the way home from a trip up Diamond Mountain, they drove over a cattle guard. Lisa Denae jokingly said, “You are going to be an old maid, Mom! You didn’t pick up your feet.” Norman pulled over and told her to open the jockey box, which held an engagement ring. She said yes, of course, and they were married for 29 years before Norman passed away in 2015.

Phyllis is survived by her children, Cheri Tromble (Mike), Rick Powell (Crystal), Richard Mecham (Racquel) James Powell, and Lisa Denae Lloyd (Bryan). She is also survived by 19 grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren, her sisters Dorothy Dyess and Eva Jones, and brother, Barry Greenleaf.

She is preceded in death by her parents, George Jensen and Ruth Greenleaf, her brother James Greenleaf, granddaughter Kayzlee Love, great-granddaughter Zelda Sage, and her beloved husband, Norman Powell.

A graveside service will be held at a later date.