November 18, 1940 – May 3, 2022
Virginia Gail Wauson Powers passed through the veil and returned home on the 3rd of May 2022. Born the 18th of November 1940 to Thomas Maron Wauson and Beryl Eileen Manley Wauson. The oldest of 5 girls, Loren Claire Wauson Molieri, Mary (Garth) Reid, Jan (Walt) Faulkner, and Sydnie Wauson (Bob Werner).
Born in Long Beach, California, she was soon moved to Pearl Harbor, Hawaii in the early months of 1941. She was a survivor of the Pearl Harbor attack preceding the United States involvement in World War II. There it was discovered that she was deaf.
Being deaf from an early age was never an excuse to not give her whole self into everything she did. Extraordinary is possibly the only word that can accurately define Virginia. A member of the “Daughters of the American Revolution” she was recognized for her genealogical research. Her love of academics was only surpassed by her love of Christ and her family. She remains the only deaf teacher to be asked by the Los Angeles Unified School District to teach a “hearing” class with the assistance of an interpreter which she declined. She chose instead to follow her dream of teaching English literature to deaf students.
On the first day the School for the Deaf opened she saw the love of her life, Robert “Bob” Frank Powers. She told herself that she would marry that man. On the 1st of January 1958 she did just that and converted to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Together they had four children, Robert (Jan) Powers Jr., Raymond Powers (Teddie), Robin Eileen (Steve) Loder, John Powers (Kristen). That resulted in having a grand total of 18 grandchildren, and 27 great grandchildren. They stayed by each other for 67 loved filled years, 64 of marriage here on earth, and will continue for eternity.
She had an amazing love for the Church, Christ and all her callings, including becoming Relief Society President. The calling she loved more than the rest was when she and her husband were asked to serve a family history mission for the Church in Salt Lake City, Utah. Being the unbelievably motivated woman she was, decided with her husband to extend their mission many times. With a one year break, they stretched the typical 18 month calling to nearly 10 years spanning from 2004-2015.
Preceded in death by her parents, Thomas and Beryl Wauson, her sister Loren, and her great grandson Jameson Dee Powers. Nothing seemed impossible for her and the fact that she was deaf just made everything she accomplished that much more impressive. She didn’t see it that way but that’s just who she was. Creating a “highlight reel” of her feats is not a short list by any stretch of the imagination and doesn’t seem to be fair or do her justice. She was a pillar of strength, a symbol of faith, and a testament to the will power of a determined person.
So many people love and miss her, but none as much as her otherworldly devoted and equally as impressive husband. The two of them together showed everyone they met what true love is. She’s gone for now, but she is not the type of person to be forgotten for years to come. She touched the lives of so many and I believe they are a bit better for it. Virginia set out to make a dent in this world and ended up leaving a crater in everyone’s heart until we meet again.
Funeral services will be held beginning at Noon on Tuesday, May 10, 2022, at the ward of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints located 6250 South 2200 West in Taylorsville, Utah. A viewing will take place prior to the services beginning at 10AM. Interment to follow at Herriman City Cemetery.
To view the recording of the previously held services, please click the “Watch Services” link at the mortuary page below.
Source: Larkin Mortuary