Presiding Elder Rev. Val J. Powe

Presiding Elder Rev. Val J. Powe passed away surrounded by his loving family, Wednesday, March 11, 2026.

On Wednesday, March 11, 2026, the world grew a little quieter as Rev. Val J. Powe, Presiding Elder of the Southern Illinois District of the Indiana Conference of the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church, answered when the Bishop of his soul called his name. He was home, surrounded by his loving wife, children, and other family members, leaving a legacy of family and faith.

Rev. Powe was born May 30, 1948, in Centralia, IL. He was the son of Hilda June (Offutt) Powe and Samuel L. Powe, Sr. He attended elementary school in Springfield, IL, until he moved to Centralia to live with his grandparents, Wilbur and Hilda May (Bibb) Offutt. In Centralia, he attended both elementary and high schools, where he later graduated from Centralia High School. Following high school, he served in the US Army at Fort Leonard Wood from 1968 to 1972. He later earned his Associate Degree in Bible Counseling from Liberty College and a Bachelor of Divinity from Trinity College of Bible in Newburgh, Indiana.

It was in Centralia where a young Val first laid eyes on Colleen L. Flagg, his high school sweetheart.
Their love was the kind you read about in poems - steadfast, patient, and true. They married on July 20, 1968, just as Val was beginning his military service. For 57 years, they walked together through every valley and over every mountain, raising two sons, ValShun E. Powe, Sr., and Michael C. Powe, and their daughter, Amanda Y. (Powe) Jackson.

Rev. Powe worked at Hollywood Candy Company, Rockwell International, and for Dr. Jack Frost. He went on to retire from working for the City of Centralia after more than 30 years of service. His first job for the city was working on the garbage truck, and he was later promoted to street sweeper. Always serving the community, Rev. Powe would take the street sweeper to grade schools in Centralia for Show and Tell to teach and explain the importance of these roles to the children.

Rev. Powe had a solid upbringing rooted in faith. He accepted Christ as his Lord and Savior at an early age while attending Second Baptist Church in Centralia. He later joined Rick's Chapel AME Zion under Presiding Elder Rev. Dr. Donald L. Jones, where he entered the ministry in 1987. His journey in the preaching ministry began when he was licensed as an exhorter by Rev. Anthony Anguish in 1987 and then as a local preacher in 1988. He was ordained both Deacon and Elder in the AME Zion Church in 1991 by Bishop Richard Fisher.

Rev. Powe was appointed to Blackwell Temple AME Zion Church in Mount Vernon, IL, by Bishop Enoch B. Rochester, where he faithfully served as pastor for 27 years. During his time at Blackwell, Rev. Powe led the church in building a new church building, developed outreach ministries, and began several new programs that blessed the community and the surrounding county. Additionally, under his leadership at Blackwell Temple, many responded to their call to ministry, including Rev. Gladys Williams, Rev. Kelly Knox, Rev. Carol Maclin, local preacher Paulette Carey, and exhorter - his wife - Colleen L. Powe.

After many years of faithful pastoring at Blackwell, Rev. Powe was appointed to pastor his home church, Rick's Chapel AME Zion Church, by Bishop Darryl B. Starnes. Under his leadership, Rick's Chapel continued to serve the community through Bible study, Sunday school, outreach ministry (nursing home, prison, and some members have started their own personal outreach of food and clothing), and supporting the local branch of the NAACP, where Rev. Powe served as president. He also led the church in the burning of their mortgage. He continued to serve at Rick's Chapel until the Lord called him home.

Rev. Powe had a light-hearted and relaxed side that he did not keep to himself. He was part of the 50+ golf team with his partners - his late cousin Ronald Thompson and (now) Mark Isaiah. He also collected Scooby Doo, clown figurines, lighthouses, and baseball caps. He loved to cook, play tennis, golf, and bowl, and was known for his singing voice and dancing. He also loved baseball, football, and basketball. He made no secret that his sports allegiances were with the Chicago Bears and the Chicago Cubs.

Rev. Powe was highly respected by family, friends, and everyone with whom he came in contact – a pillar in the Centralia community. He was faithful to serve those whom the Lord entrusted to him. Rev. Powe knew that his family was his first ministry and supported his wife, children, and grandchildren in all they did. He loved his wife and family without a doubt.

A great host was there to meet him at heaven's gate. Rev. Powe was preceded in death by his parents, grandparents, three brothers, Brian, Charlie and Samuel, Jr, one sister Margaret Mclean, one granddaughter Kylisha Williams, two great grandsons, Ja'Kary Bussey, Zay L. Powe, son-in-law Porter Jackson III, mother-in-law Luvenia (Currie) Flagg and father-in-law Julius Flagg.

Rev. Powe is survived by his wife, Colleen L. (Flagg) Powe, sons Deacon ValShun E. Powe, Sr. (Linda) Bloomington, IL, Rev. Michael, C. Powe (Yolanda), Normal, IL, Amanda Y. (Powe) Jackson, Centralia, IL, Aunt Diane Williams, Springfield, IL, Uncle, Phillip Offutt (Berta) Centralia, IL, one Sister Debra (Powe) Walls Indianapolis, IN, three brothers, Stephon Powe (Carla) Centralia, IL, Richard K. Powe, Olney, IL, Marlon K. Powe, Killeen, TX, godchildren, Elder Wayne Flagg, Brooklynn Maclin, Lonniece Maclin and AdeLynn Maclin, 14 grandchildren, 26 great-grandchildren, and a host of nieces and nephews, and many other loved ones. There is no doubt that his legacy will live on.

We thank God for giving him to us for 77 years as a loving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and friend. We thank him for teaching various members of the family how to play golf, tennis, and bowl. Most importantly, we thank Rev. Powe for teaching us about the Lord and for his faithfulness. We thank God for the legacy that will live on in each of our lives and the sea of love for God and each other - now and forever.

A celebration of life service will be held at 1:00 p.m. Saturday, March 21, 2026, at Rick's Chapel AME Zion Church in Centralia. Interment will follow at Elmwood Cemetery in Centralia, where military honors will be accorded by the Centralia VFW Post 2055 and the American Legion Post 446. Relatives and friends are welcome to the visitation from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. Friday, March 20, 2026, at the Irvin Macz Funeral Home in Centralia, and from 12:00 p.m. until 1:00 p.m. Saturday at the church. Memorials may be made in Pastor Powe's honor to the American Cancer Association or St Jude Children's Hospital. Online condolences and memories may be shared with the family by visiting maczfuneralhomes.com and/or on the funeral home's Facebook page.