Dr. Llewellyn "Lew" Powell

Dr. Llewellyn “Lew” Powell, 75, of Southaven, Mississippi passed away on Thursday, December 26, 2024. 

Born in Alexandria, Virginia on December 26, 1949, Lew moved to Mississippi as a young child—first to Jackson and later to Laurel where he graduated from R. H. Watkins High School in 1968. After graduating from Jones County Junior College in 1970, Lew attended Millsaps College and the University of Southern Mississippi. In 1986, Lew graduated from the UMMC School of Dentistry in Jackson. Lew continued his lifelong pursuit of education by achieving a Master of Science in Health Care Ethics from Creighton University in 2013. 

Lew briefly practiced dentistry in Laurel before moving to Long Beach, where he practiced from 1988 to 2005, owning Long Beach Dental Associates for the final seven years. After Hurricane Katrina, he joined the UTHSC College of Dentistry in Memphis, Tennessee, with a break to serve as Director of Primary Dental Care at Roseman Health Center in South Jordan, Utah, from 2011 to 2014. He then returned to private practice founding Desoto Dental Services, retiring in March 2023. 

Professionally, Lew was a born leader and served as the President of the Mississippi Dental Association, Chair of the Mississippi Dental Political Action Committee, and Chair of the Mississippi Section of the American College of Dentistry, among others. Additionally, Lew was an accomplished writer who authored numerous publications in his field. 

Personally, Lew had a deep passion for several interests. He was particularly fond of aviation and Mooney airplanes, which led him to obtain his Private Pilot License and eventually purchase the first of two Mooney’s that he used for travel across the United States. In his earlier years, Lew was an avid runner, windsurfer, and sailor. More recently, Lew took pleasure in making vanilla extracts that he would give to his friends and family. Lew also maintained a lifelong interest in reading and enjoyed watching various sports, with a particular affinity for the College World Series. Lew had a razor-sharp wit and well-developed sense of humor. These interests were complimented by a special love for music that he loved to share with those close to him. 

Lew was preceded in death by his parents, Horace Ashton Powell and Helen Pitts Powell; his sister, Mary Colwick; Carolyn, (mother to Nate); and Patricia, (mother to Hope). 

He is survived by his loving wife, Laura Cuevas Powell; his children, Nate (Brooke) Powell, Hope (Kris) Corbit, Adam Holland, and Kimberly (Justin) Ables. In addition, he was blessed with eight grandchildren, Ashton, Lane, Tyler, Aubri, Hadli, Lynli, Adaley, and Colt; and two great grandsons, Everett and Asher. Lew is survived by and was also quite proud of his niece, Hon. Elizabeth C. (Patrick) Hamner. 

Anyone lucky enough to be loved by Lew knows that when he loved, it was fiercely and with every fiber of his being. There is no greater evidence of this than Lew’s love for his wife, Laura, whom he frequently referred to as the love of his life. Lew was an extraordinary man who has left a lasting impact on all who had the benefit of knowing him. 

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday, January 25, 2025, at St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church (720 East Beach Boulevard in Long Beach, MS). Visitation will be from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. followed immediately by Mass. A reception will follow in the St. Thomas Parish Life Center from 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. 

In lieu of flowers, please consider remembering Lew with a donation to Desoto Hope through the following website: www.desotohope.org.