Jessica Lane

Jessica Elizabeth Lane entered into the presence of the Lord August 7, 2025.

Jessica is survived by her mother Nancy McDonald Powell, her step-dad Punchy Powell, her siblings Trey Hunt, Chris Hunt, Heath Hunt, Danica Hitchcock, and Cara Dury, her step-brother Joey Engstrom and step-sister Lauren Lickliter, her uncle Mike Lane and aunt Dee Lane Fischer, along with beloved nieces, nephews, and cousins. She is preceded in death by her father Allen Lane, her grandparents Joe and Betty McDonald and Ed and Rose Lane.

Jessica was born July 7, 1976 to Allen Lane and Nancy McDonald Powell. She was born and raised in Atlanta and made her home in the SmokeRise community of Stone Mountain. Jessica was a proud graduate of Parkview High School.

From a young age, Jessica loved to dance. She was always on the move. She trained in dance and gymnastics until a car crash at age 16 resulted in paralysis. At the time, she was a high school athlete who competed in track and cheer.

Following the injury, Jessica spent six months in recovery at Shepherd Center in Atlanta. From that point, Jessica lived a life characterized by defiance of all expectations.

As a C2 quadriplegic, the expectation was that Jessica would depend on a ventilator and be limited in her life both in terms of quality and longevity. She did not accept that prognosis. Jessica weaned herself from the ventilator before coming home from Shepherd. She returned to Parkview High School and graduated with her class. Jessica jumped right back into her life at school- attending games to cheer the team, hitting the dance floor with her friends at Homecoming and Prom, and spending time together outside of school.

Through the years, Jessica and these friends were together for weddings, baby showers, birthdays and moments deserving of celebration. That special group of friends was together even recently to celebrate the launch of Jessica's book On The Other Hand in January, to welcome her home after a hospital stay in May, and to celebrate their 30th high school reunion in July.

Jessica was intentional about demonstrating her love through time together. She never stopped being a cheerleader. She was regularly in the audience to cheer for her nieces, nephews and friends when they performed in recitals, theater, and sports or had special events.

Jessica was a gatherer of people and a wonderful hostess. Her house was a hub of activity with friends and family coming and going. She created a beautiful space to welcome others - hosting weddings, funerals, birthday parties, baby showers, innumerable movie nights and informal gatherings.

Her heart was clearly for people. She considered work as a Graphic Artist and studied Interior Design but, after completing the course Caring for People God's Way, she turned her focus to ministry.

Jessica started a blog called Renewing Strength. She published on the site for many years as a means to encourage others with the Hope that comes from a faith in Jesus Christ. She spent several years collecting those entries and essays, which formed the foundation of her book that was published in October 2024.

Throughout the three decades following her injury, Jessica encountered many health challenges and setbacks. Her tenacious spirit fought for recovery. She faced death many times and experienced true miracles. Her mother jokingly called her Timex because she would take a licking and keep on ticking.

After a prolonged health challenge this Spring, Jessica returned home from the hospital with a poor prognosis. We all received a gift of one more summer with her we did not expect.

In the last three months of her life, Jessica LIVED to the fullest. She threw herself a welcome home party and hosted her friends at her beautiful home Beau Jardin. She attended Braves games with her sister and her friend. She watched her niece in her final theater performance. Jessica and a friend went to the aquarium and rode the Ferris Wheel in Atlanta. She attended her 30th high school reunion. She celebrated her 49th birthday out with her sisters. Friends and family came for dinners and swim parties and just to say hi.

Jessica had a favorite Bible passage that brought her Hope. It had a special application in her life because of her paralysis.

Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom.

He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.

Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall;

but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.

They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.

Isaiah 40:28-31

Jessica had a Hope because of the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Because of her faith in the Lord, she is now in His presence healed and whole.

Please direct honorary donations to the following organizations:

Shepherd Center

Friends of Disabled Adults and Children (FODAC)

Paralyzed Veterans of America

Canine Companions

Any local animal rescue

We will celebrate her life Saturday August 16, 2025.

Smokerise Baptist Church

5901 Hugh Howell Road

Stone Mountain, GA 30087

Visitation at noon. Service at 1:00.