Velma Rhea (Sterling) Powers, age 84, of Eddyville, Iowa, passed away Sunday morning, September 11, 2016, at the Ottumwa Regional Health Center in Ottumwa. Visitation for Velma will be held from 11:00 A.M. to 8:00 P.M., Wednesday, September 14, 2016, at the Eddyville Funeral Chapel. Velma’s family will be greeting friends from 6:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M., Wednesday evening. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 A.M., on Thursday, September 15, 2016 at the Eddyville Funeral Chapel. Burial will follow services at Highland Cemetery in Eddyville. Velma was born on September 2, 1932, to Warner “Doc” and Delphia (Crouse) Sterling in Milan, Missouri. Velma was raised in Eddyville and graduated from the Eddyville High School. On June 22, 1952 at the Eddyville Methodist Church Velma and Gene Neal Powers were united in marriage. They shared over 32 years of marriage together and were blessed with two children; Cathy and Debra. Gene died on December of 1984. Velma was a homemaker raising her family and very active in the Eddyville community. She was a member of the Eddyville United Methodist Church. For many years Velma would help organize the Oregon Trail Days Celebration and also would scout for the Bill Riley Talent Shows. One of Velma’s proudest achievements was writing a history book on Eddyville. Velma is survived by her two daughters, Cathy (Mike) Deevers of Eddyville and Debra Powers of Ottumwa; three grandsons, Chad (Kristi) Deevers, Randy (Shaye) Deevers, and Aaron Deevers all of Eddyville; one great grandson Blake; step grandson, Ashton, and one great-great granddaughter, Maddison. Velma is also survived by her two brothers, Jim (Margaret) Sterling of Cedar Rapids, and Jerry (Georgia) Sterling of Mission Viejo, California; one sister, Donna Sereg of Indianola; many nieces and nephews and a very special niece Linda Russell. She was preceded in death by her parents, Warner and Delphia Sterling; and her husband, Gene Powers. A memorial has been established to Velma’s family and will be decided at a later date. The Eddyville Funeral Chapel is assisting Velma’s family with services.