Lyneve Wheeler Powell, age 82, passed away Saturday, October 31, 2026. Funeral services were held Tuesday, November 3, at 2 p.m. in the Richard N. Stanley, Jr. Memorial Chapel of Stanley Funeral Home and Crematory, with interment to follow at Westview Cemetery with Rev. Randy Adams and son-in-law Jim Dutcher officiating. Family received friends Tuesday, November 3, from 11 a.m. to 1:45 p.m. at the funeral home.
Pallbearers were Dickie Barber, Mike Barber, Greg Rowland, Kevin Brantley, Shawn Wombles and Kevin Durden. Honorary Pallbearers were Garrett Powell, Nicholas Durden, Benton Dutcher, and Bryant Blount.
Mrs. Powell was born September 11, 1944, in Swainsboro, to late Duncan Wheeler and Lillie Mae Grizzard Wheeler. “Lil Lynn Wheeler” started singing and playing the guitar at the Peach State Jamboree in Swainsboro at the age of 13. A record producer in Nashville, TN met with her parents for fried fish on a Sunday afternoon and later drove her to Nashville to record two songs he had written for her. She made her own record. Lil Lynn Wheeler was 14 years old and recorded “Too Small” and “Save A Little Lovin” with Elvis Presley’s band. Lil Lynn Wheeler, from Kite, was something else. She played and sang in a weekly line up along with Brenda Lee, Hank Williams, Jr., Mel Tillis, George Jones, etc... She has always been the Star of the show. Lyneve was a homemaker and a member of Brown Memorial Baptist Church. Mrs. Powell is preceded in death by her parents; siblings, Delma Logue, Shirley Wilkes and J.D. Wheeler; four half siblings, Maxine Nobles, Jackie Reese, Hugh Dorsey Wilkerson and Weyman Wilkerson.
Mrs. Powell is survived by her husband, Ambros Powell of Wrightsville; daughters, Donna Dutcher (Jim) of Bonaire and Jann Alligood (Chan) of Dublin; sons, Stan Powell (Anna) of Wrightsville and Chad Powell (Kathryn) of Warner Robins; brother, McCoy Wheeler (Carmen) of Wrightsville; grandchildren, Benton Dutcher (Andi), Nicholas Durden (Bethany), Chanley Alligood (Bryant), Anna Stewart (Zach), Elynn Alligood, Garrett Powell, Ella Powell, Cole Powell, Wayne Powell and Laura Powell; great-grandchildren, Kinley Dutcher, Beau Durden and Janey Stewart; and several nieces, nephews and friends.
Stanley Funeral Homes and Crematory/Wrightsville Chapel was in charge of arrangements.
