Sharlyne Powell

Our Mom, Sharlyne Rae Powell of Yakima, WA passed away at Cottage in the Meadow on March 28, 2024, just shy of her 84th birthday. She passed peacefully surrounded by family and friends. Mom was born on April 13, 1940, to Delbert (Bob) Spears and Clara (Kitty) Kribs Spears in Grangeville, Idaho. She was raised in Clearwater, Idaho until the family moved to Grangeville in the summer of 1956. It was the first time the family had running water and an indoor restroom. While attending Grangeville High School she met Don Powell. They were married on November 14, 1959, in the Grangeville Christian Church. They moved to Spokane to attend Kinman Business School and to find work. Shortly thereafter, on July 20, 1960, identical twins, Bradley and Bryan were born, arriving six weeks early. Our family moved to Yakima in 1961. Our mom was always our biggest supporter. Our fondest memories are of her cheering us on at our many sporting events, being a Cub Scout Den Mother and hosting our childhood friends serving her famous chocolate chip cookies. Our mom loved music – listening and playing. She taught herself the drums and the piano. She enjoyed driving fun cars, riding motorbikes at our cabin, and taking road trips to Grangeville to visit family and friends. She left us with so many wonderful memories. She will be dearly missed. Mom was a creator. She had a gift for making everything special. She also had an entrepreneurial spirit, started several businesses. In 1983, she pioneered the field of physical fitness and emotional wellness for the larger women. She founded Women At Large Fitness Club which grew to 42 franchise locations. She also produced and choreographed two exercise videos that went platinum. Some of her greatest recognitions came from being on Oprah and the Today show, receiving the Avon/SBA Women in Enterprise Award and the Emerging Visions Golden Apple award. Sharlyne was preceded in death by her parents, Bob and Kitty Spears. She is survived by sister Cherry Plakinger, brother Steve (Jan) Spears; Don her husband of 30 years; sons Brad (Lisa) of Bellevue, WA Bryan (Linda) of Yakima, WA, five grandchildren Kyler (Joy), Chase (Meggie), Allyson (Steve), Michael (Adrienne) and Connor (Nina), and 7 great grandchildren. Mom’s wish is to have her ashes spread in Idaho where she grew up. A private celebration of life will be held at a later date. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Sharlyne Powell, please visit our flower store.