Emma Gray Jones Powell

EMMA GRAY JONES POWELL

Emma Gray Jones Powell, 97, of Wilmington, NC, passed away peacefully, Sunday, October 30, 2011, at New Hanover Regional Medical Center, Wilmington.

She was born in Mecklenburg County, VA, October 17, 1914, daughter of the late John Franklin Jones and Annie Eliza Pulliam Jones. Her husband, Carl Betts Powell and her son, Carl Franklin Powell preceded her in death.

At age 20, Emma Gray went to work at a textile mill in Virginia and then as a waitress at The Tea Room in South Hill, VA.

She later moved to Raleigh, NC, and was a waitress at The Sir Walter Hotel. She met her husband, Carl and moved to Wilmington in 1944 where she started working at the Marina Restaurant at Wrightsville Beach, remaining there until 1980. She cherished her time at the Marina and adored her thousands of loyal customers.

Emma Gray was a member of the "Good Timers Band" for many years where she proudly played the washboard and was afforded the opportunity to meet most of the Azalea Queens and the Governor of North Carolina.

After retirement, she began her tireless career as a volunteer at New Hanover Regional Medical Center where she logged in over 9000 volunteer hours and was awarded the President's Volunteer Service Award. Emma Gray was an active member of Grace United Methodist Church whose members visited her weekly at Spring Arbor Assisted Living.

Mrs. Powell is survived by her son, Vernon Betts Powell Sr. and wife, Andrea of Greensboro, NC; her daughter, Jean Powell DeHart and husband, Harry of Macon, GA; daughter-in-law, Phyllis Powell, wife of deceased son, Carl Franklin Powell; grandchildren, Jeffrey Allen DeHart (Jessica), Gary Wayne DeHart (Angela), Dana Marie DeHart (Jay Leslie), C. Frank Powell Jr. (Stephanie), Kim Powell Pierce (David), Linda Powell Reinger (William), Vernon Betts Powell Jr. (Jeremy Angel), and Julian Proctor Powell; step-grandchildren, Robert Charles Ketner Jr., and Richard Andrew Ketner; thirteen great-grandchildren; and a special niece, Barbara Lee Carter.

A memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m. Wednesday, November 2, 2011, at Grace United Methodist Church in Wilmington with the Rev. Scott Dodson officiating. The family will receive friends at the church immediately following the service.

The family would like to thank the entire staff at Spring Arbor for their never-ending care and support and also the wonderful staff at the Cardiac Care Unit at New Hanover Regional Medical Center.

In lieu of flowers memorial gifts may be made to Grace United Methodist Church, 401 Grace Street, Wilmington, NC, 28401.

Condolences may be sent to the family at www.andrewsmortuary.com

Andrews Market Chapel Service



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