AIKEN - Willie Powell, Jr., 56, died Friday, June 19, 2009 at Orangeburg Regional Medical Center in Orangeburg.
Mr. Powell was born in Hampton County on Aug. 3, 1952. He was a son of the late Willie Powell, Sr. and Faire Black Powell. He was educated in the public schools of Hampton County and was a 1971 graduate of Wade Hampton High School. At an early age, he became a member of Huspah Missionary Baptist Church where he was ordained a Deacon. Mr. Powell later joined Mt. Harris Missionary Baptist Church in Aiken where he served as a Deacon, was on the Youth and Finance Departments, and was a Bible Study Instructor. He was a past member of Mt. Olive Lodge #466 in Hampton. Mr. Powell was a former employee of Nevamar and a carpenter by trade. He was married to the former Ella Mae Smith and this union was blessed with one son, Cedric and one daughter, Diana.
Surviving are: His wife, Mrs. Ella Mae Powell of the home; one son, Cedric Powell and a daughter, Diana Powell, both of Aiken; four brothers, James Rodges (Polly) Grant of Hampton; John Henry (Peggy) Powell of Allendale; Benjamin (Pearl) Powell of Grayson, Ga.; brother in Christ, Rev. Hallie (Frances) Capers of Hampton; four sisters, Carrie Mae (Francis) Folk, Mary (Albert) Butler, Anna Bell Powell, all of Hampton; Mary Nell (Lorenzo) Wrice of Varnville; four grandchildren, Beronn Moore, Cedric Powell IV, Blessing Powell and Miracle Powell; brothers-in-law, Archie Smith of Allendale; sisters-in-law, Retha Mae (Ronnell) McQuire; Elise (Angus) McQuire of Varnville; nieces, nephews, special nephew, Gregory Wrice; cousins, and a host of friends.
Funeral services were held 1 p.m. Tuesday, June 23 at Huspah Missionary Baptist Church with burial in the church cemetery.
Riley's Funeral Home of Hampton was in charge of the arrangements.