David Powell Nanney Sr.

D. Powell Nanney
August 16, 1918-
February 15, 2012
RALEIGH -- David Powell Nanney, Sr., long-time resident of Gastonia, NC, passed away February 15, 2012.
Powell was born on August 16, 1918 in Cliffside, NC and grew up in Rutherfordton, NC. He was the son of William Worth Nanney and Mamie Freeman Nanney. Powell graduated from Mars Hill College where he played in the school orchestra, and from Kings Business College where he studied accounting and met the love of his life, Mary Spivey from Tabor City, NC. Powell and Mary were married in 1941, prior to Powell entering the US Navy. After being honorably discharged, Powell and Mary returned to North Carolina. In 1946, Powell joined his uncle CP Nanney at the Orange Crush Bottling Company (f/k/a Sun Drop Bottling Company and n/k/a Choice USA Beverage) in Gastonia as office manager. Over the next 60 years until his retirement, he served in various capacities for the company including, Secretary, Vice President, Treasurer, and Vice Chairman of the board of directors.
In addition to his parents, Powell was preceded in death by his wife of 42 years, Mary Spivey Nanney (1983), along with five of his brothers and sisters. He is survived by his brother R. Frank Nanney of Rutherfordton; his two children Mary Ellen Jennings (Edward, 2011) of Winston Salem and David P. Nanney, Jr. (Priscilla) of Raleigh; eight grandchildren Vance E. Jennings (Erin) of Cary, Vaughn E. Jennings, III (Natalie) of Washington, DC, Kimberly E. Jennings of Winston-Salem, David P. Nanney, III, Lee H. Nanney, and Katherine M. Nanney, all of Raleigh; two great-grandchildren: Riley Jennings and Macie Jennings, both of Cary; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Powell was very active in his community and contributed his time and talents to various organizations in a number of capacities. He was a long-time member of First Baptist Church in Gastonia, where he served as a deacon and in various other positions. He was a member of the Lions Club and American Legion Post #23 in Gastonia, and served as chairman of the Boys' State Committee for many years.
In 1991, Powell was honored as the Mars Hill College Alumnus of the Year, and in 1999 he was honored as the North Carolina Baptist Foundation Philanthropist of the Year. Powell also served as Chairman of the Board of Trustees for the Charles & Irene Nanney Foundation for many years.
Fuenral services will be held 3:00 PM, Saturday, at First Baptist Church in Gastonia with Dr. Ray Ammons officiating. The family will receive friends immediately before the service beginning at 1:30 PM. Burial will be at Gaston Memorial Park immediately following the service.
Special thanks from the family to the caregivers and the staff of Sunrise at North Hills Senior Living community in Raleigh for their dedicated and loving service.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to First Baptist Church Gastonia, PO Box 6298, Gastonia, NC 28056 or to the NC Baptist Men's Disaster Relief, PO Box 1107, Cary, NC 27512.
Online condolences may be made at: www.carothersfuneralhomegastonia.com.
Carothers Funeral Home, Gastonia is serving the Nanney family.