Shelia Marie Allen Powell was born on December 27, 1961, in Pineville, Louisiana, to Betty Lee Allen and the late Wilbur Allen, Jr. She peacefully transitioned from this life to everlasting life on March 30, 2026.

At an early age, Shelia accepted Christ and was baptized at St. Lawrence Baptist Church under the leadership of the late Pastor David Smith. She later continued her Christian journey at Mt. Calvary Baptist Church under the leadership of the late Pastor Huey Lawson, where she remained a faithful and dedicated disciple.

Shelia was a proud graduate of Peabody High School, Class of 1979. Following graduation, she attended Northwestern State University, where she earned a degree in Criminal Justice in 1983.

She later relocated to Atlanta, Georgia, where she began her career at Reeds Daycare. During this time, she met the love of her life, Luke Leon Powell. The two were united in holy matrimony on September 11, 1993. From this union, one beautiful daughter, Laurel Alexis Powell, was born.

Shelia also worked at Kroger, where she began on the front end and later advanced to a supervisory role in the pharmacy. She faithfully served for many years before retiring in 2017. Never one to sit idle, she later continued working at Hammond Glen Retirement Community until her passing.

Shelia had a heart of gold and a genuine love for helping others. She was known for her kindness, humility, and the warmth she extended to everyone she encountered. One of her greatest joys was making pecan candy for her classmates, friends, and family. Seeing the smiles on their faces brought her immense happiness. Her loving spirit and cherished memories will forever remain in the hearts of those who knew and loved her.

Shelia was preceded in death by her father, Wilbur Allen, Jr.; her grandparents; her mother-in-law and father-in-law; and three brothers-in-law.

Those left to cherish and honor her legacy include her devoted husband, Luke Powell; her loving daughter, Laurel Powell; her mother, Betty L. Allen; her sister, Doris Allen; and her niece, Chelsey. She also leaves behind her aunt, Ruby (Eddie); her uncle, David Cleveland; and close family and friends Emma Green, Neil Sherman, Jenifer Green, Farneha Hobley, Brenda Neal Turner, Angela Neal, Carla Neal, and Ronald Neal. She is also survived by her sisters-in-law, Joyce Carroll (Eric) and Gloria Tate (Percy), along with a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and other relatives and friends.