Phyllis Ann Powell, age 94, of Traverse City, passed away on November 5, 2026. Amidst her courageous fight against cancer, Phyllis took an unexpected fall from which she was unable to recover.

Phyllis was born and raised in Traverse City and has lived in the area her entire life. She worked for 34 years at Grand Traverse County as the Chief Deputy Clerk, until she retired in 1994. She was also one of the founders of The Grand Traverse County Legal Secretaries Association. Phyllis was a voracious reader and enjoyed RV camping with her husband Jim and their friends for many years. As a keen observer of the world around her, she remained intellectually vibrant, perceptive, and fully engaged with life until her final moments.

Phyllis was preceded in death by her husband of 70 years and greatest dance partner, Ernest J. "Jim" Powell; mother, Frances Birgy; stepfather, Wilbert Birgy; and brothers-in-law, Richard Draper and Clair Manville.

She is survived by her son, Richard (Karen) Powell; sisters Grace Draper and Dolores Manville, and her nieces and nephews.

A funeral service honoring Phyllis will be held at 3:00 pm on Wednesday, November 11, 2026 at Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home, 305 Sixth Street, Traverse City. Family will welcome visitors an hour prior to the service, starting at 2:00 pm. Burial will take place at Grand Traverse Memorial Gardens. In lieu of flowers, the family kindly asks that donations be made to Cherryland Humane Society at cherrylandhumane.org/donate.