Louise Irene Gust Powers was born in Oceanside, Calif., in August 1933, and died at home in Lewisburg, W.Va. on Sept. 19, 2026.
Louise was a creative, unique, loving woman who kept her sharp sense of humor up until the final days of her life. She is remembered for her generosity, unusual home remedies (mostly involving baking soda), a love for storytelling, and stubborn independence (despite not having driven a car since around 1960). Louise was a creative, unique, loving woman who kept her sharp sense of humor up until the final days of her life. She is remembered for her generosity, unusual home remedies (mostly involving baking soda), a love for storytelling, and stubborn independence (despite not having driven a car since around 1960).
Louise had a caring and nurturing spirit which she turned towards her family, pets, plants, and strong liberal political opinions.
Louise and her husband Gene moved with their two younger children from California to the U.S. Virgin Islands in 1968, where she worked as a nanny at a local hotel and collected various free-spirited folks from the beach near their house. One of these connections inspired Louise and Gene to move to Monroe Co., W.Va. in the early ‘70s during the back-to-the-land movement, and establish a “hippie homestead”; it was there on “The Knobs” that they built a home, raised various crops, animals, and grandchildren, and created lifetime connections with other like-minded folks (cue the chorus of John Prine’s “Spanish Pipedream”, with less Jesus and more TV).
Louise lived to see her 93rd birthday, so there were many who moved on before her including her husband of almost 60 years Gene Powers; mother and stepfather Bernie and Bob Cowic, and sisters and brothers-in-law Barbara and Adrian Brown and Marilyn and Bill Lockett. She is survived by her children Mike (Linda) Powers, David Powers, and Cathy (Jim) Johans; grandchildren Mikey (Rosana), Jake, Eli, Nate, Jamie (Steve), Jason (Kelly), and Bryan (Kristen); great-grandchildren Carson, Caleb, Malachi, Joe, Sawyer, Ellie, Izzy, and Myla; daughters of the heart Michelle, Teri, Linda, and Vickie; and many longtime friends including David and Margaret Holz, Susie and Howdy Henritz, David and Sylvia Hawkes, and Ba Rea. Any omission here is the fault of the writer, and not of Louise’s broad capacity for love and care for those close to her.
A celebration of Louise’s life will be held in Lewisburg in November, which will include a private family ceremony at the farm as well as a gathering with friends; details TBD. Donations in Louise’s name can be made to the Greenbrier Humane Society and Lewisburg Food Locker.
The family wishes to extend gratitude to Greenbrier Hospice Care, particularly Stephanie, Patchila, and Mickie, for their support and wisdom.
Please send online condolences by visiting www.WallaceandWallaceFH.com
