Carolyn Simon Olney Powers

“She loved you where you were”

Carolyn Simon Olney Powers, 73, of Lake Charles passed away Thursday, July 22, 2021 in the comfort of her home surrounded by her family.

A lifelong resident of Lake Charles, Mrs. Powers was born October 23, 1947 in Crowley, LA.  She was a graduate of LaGrange Senior High School, received a bachelor’s degree from McNeese State University, and obtained a master’s degree in Social Work from Louisiana State University.  This career path was inspired by her love and compassion for others.  Geriatrics was her specialty, inspired by her special relationship with her grandmother.  She was an avid reader, enjoyed traveling and loved music and dancing.  Her greatest priorities were faith and family.  Mrs. Powers was a lady of grace, devotion and prayer and a faithful member of St. Martin de Porres Catholic Church.  She will be most remembered for her smile, positive energy, infectious laugh, servant’s heart, and unconditional love.

She leaves to cherish her memory, her husband, Norman Marcus “Mark” Powers of Lake Charles; daughter, Tammera Olney Welsh (Paul) of Baton Rouge, Kimberley Olney Trunick (Ted) of Lake Charles and Troy Thomas Olney (Suman Sharda) of Austin, TX; nine grandchildren, Madison Saunders (Matt), Grayson Trunick, Caroline, Megan, Julia, Zach and Natalie Welsh and Kieran and Mira Olney; one brother, Joseph Clifton “Skip” Simon, Jr. (D.D.) of Lake Charles; one sister, Audrey Simon Champagne (Paul) of Lake Charles; one brother-in-law, David Olney (Cammie) of Lake Charles and many nieces, nephews and many friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Joseph Clifton Simon, Sr. and Doris Spell Simon and her husband of thirty-nine years, Joseph Thomas "Tommy" Olney.

A Mass of Christian burial will be at 3:00 PM Monday, July 26, 2021 at St. Martin de Porres Catholic Church under the direction of Johnson Funeral Home.  Father Keith Pellerin will officiate.  Interment services will follow in Consolata cemetery.  Visitation Monday will be from 1:00 PM until the time of service at St. Martin de Porres.  Visitation Sunday will be from 4:30 PM until 7:00 PM with a rosary service beginning at 6:00 PM at University Baptist Church.

Memorial donations may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research at stjude.org or the American Cancer Society in Louisiana at cancer.org.