Crystal McCauley Powell, 53, of Waynesboro, passed away peacefully on Sunday, May 22, 2011, at a local hospital.

She was born on September 19, 1957, in Charlottesville, the daughter of John McCauley and Nancy Morris Snead.

She was employed by the Albemarle County School System for over 16 years.

Crystal was a wonderful and loving wife, mother, grandmother and friend. Her dedication and love for them was first and foremost in her life. She always thought of others before herself.

She loved nothing more than having her family and good friends over for her delicious home cooked meals, meals you would never forget. Her welcoming spirit could be felt as soon as you walked in her door. Her beautiful smile and contagious laugh alone let you know how much it meant to her to have everyone together.

Crystal loved all children, especially the ones from Agnor/Hurt Elementary School where she was the school secretary for six years. A wonderful role model, she touched the lives of many children with her kind heart, encouraging words, joyful tone and gentle soul. Every child was important to her. She reached out to each and every student there.

Crystal loved the outdoors, whether it was the beach or the mountains. She also loved flowers as you could see when you came to visit. The beautiful colors in her gardens were the first things you noticed. The beauty of nature was also apparent in her photographs. Photography became a particularly favorite hobby of hers over the past few years. She could capture a scene of magnificence at the perfect moment.

She also leaves behind "Mommy's special little boys, Theo and Milo, her beloved pets. They were her babies and she loved them deeply.

You will be missed by all who knew you Crys. You will never be forgotten. We love you always and forever, and we can't wait for the day we get to see you again.

She is survived by her parents; her husband, Steven Powell; her children, Steven Eric Powell of Charlottesville, Kristina Powell Davis and her special friend, Mason Wells, of Nelson County, Jennifer Denise Tomlinson and her husband, Mike, of Lynchburg, Michael Scott Powell and his wife, Cynthia, of Scottsville, Katelyn Brooke Powell of Waynesboro, and Megan Brooke Powell of Waynesboro; eleven grandchildren, Kelsea, Isaiah, Christopher, Brandon, Peyton, Aliza, Taylor, Tyler, Wyatt, Kayleigh and Eli; an aunt, Doris Thompson; special friends, Ruby Gordon of Batesville, Cheryl Brooks-Davis of Charlottesville, Michele Del Gallo of Charlottesville, Susan Turner of Ivy, Mary Martin of Crozet, Susie and Eddie Gum of Waynesboro and many other beloved friends; and her faithful companions, Theo and Milo.

The family will receive friends from 5:30 until 7 p.m. Thursday, May 26, 2011, at Hill and Wood Funeral Home. A memorial service will begin at 7 p.m. at the chapel of Hill and Wood Funeral Home with the Pastor Allen George officiating. The family asks, that all attendees wear purple or blue in honor of Crys. Interment will be private.

The family suggests that in lieu of flowers, memorial donations be made to the American Melanoma Foundation, 4150 Regents Park Row, Suite 300, La Jolla, CA 92037 or Charlottesville/Albemarle SPCA, P.O. Box 7047, Charlottesville, VA 22906.

Friends may send condolences to the family at www.hillandwood.com.