George W. Powell

Deacon George W. Powell of2501 Hickory Street, Portsmouth, Virginia, departed this life on June 8, 2015, in Woodbridge, Virginia. He was born on June 2,1923 to Walter J. and Lillie Hicks Powell, in Warren County, North Carolina. He received his education in the Warren County Public School System. He first married Joyce Harrell of Portsmouth, VA. He later married Eurla Lee Dunn, affectionately known as Lee Mama". He was a praying man and faithful servant. Upon each awakening, he would say, "Lord, Thank You Jesus." He accepted Jesus Christ as his personal Savior at Pleasant Hill Baptist Church in Macon, North Carolina. He later joined Mt Nebo RZUA, and then New Jerusalem Church of God in Christ in Portsmouth, where he served as a trustee and was ordained as a Deacon. Next he joined New Morning Star Missionary Baptist Church where he served as a Deacon. He temporarily relocated and joined Alfred Street Baptist Church in Alexandria, Virginia for "watchcare." He was the sixth of twelve Children. Family was very important to him. He was affectionately known as "Pops" & "Granddaddy." Whenever he was around his grandchildren, he could always be found laughing and making jokes. He will fondly be remembered as an awesome, funny, spiritual man who spoiled his grandchildren. George was a hardworking and gifted man who loved people. He worked full-time at Planters Manufacturing Company (Georgia Pacific). He also worked at Star Band (General Foam Plastics Corps). He retired in 1989 from the Norfolk Naval Shipyard where he faithfully served 16 years as a pipefitter in Shop 56. He received numerous awards and honors for excellent service. He had many significant accomplishments, one which included the architectural design and building of his house at 2501 Hickory Street. Some of his gifts and talents included bricklaying, roofing, pipefitting, plumbing, electrical, carpentry and cooking. He was known for gardening, building things, giving and loving people. "If I Can Just Help Somebody Along The Way" is a song that adequately captures the essence of this talented man who truly loved people. He is predeceased by his spouse Eurla Lee Powell, a daughter, his parents, and two sons-in-law. He leaves to mourn: four daughters, Carrie Hubbard of Baltimore, Maryland; Celestine Rouse (Randell) of Chesapeake, Virginia; Lillian Camphor (John) of Richmond, Virginia, and Julienne Powell of Woodbridge, Virginia; three sons, Alfred Shearin (Gerda) of Texas; Phillip Powell of Landover, Maryland and James Powell (Veronica) of Stafford, Virginia; one stepson Earl Dunn (patricia) of Portsmouth, Virginia, goddaughter Juanita Lynette Peele of Portsmouth, Virginia; three brothers-in-law, James Albert Falcon of Warrenton, North Carolina, Eugene Dunn ofBunn, North Carolina, and William Vaughan of Portsmouth, VA, two sisters-in-laws, Mattie Powell and Bessie Mae Powell, both of Portsmouth, Virginia; 23 grandchildren; 25 great-grandchildren; three great-great grandchildren and a host of other familyand friends.

George W. Powell

June 2, 1923 - June 8, 2015