GEORGE POWELL

POWELL GEORGE POWELL On Saturday, April 16, 2016, in Washington, DC, the world lost an engaging personality who, over an extraordinary lifetime, selflessly gave of himself to everyone he met. It is with profound sadness that his children announce this sudden passing after a brief illness. George Powell was born on December 11, 1942 at Freedmen''s Hospital in Washington, DC to James Powell II and Daisy Powell (nee Winstead) of Wilson, NC. George attended Cardozo High School in Washington, DC. He was a graduate of the Catholic institution, Xavier University in Cincinnati, Ohio where he earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in 1965 and a Master of Education in 1972. While at Xavier, he played defensive left tackle for the football team while proudly wearing jersey number 74. It is said that the campus took note of his dignified countenance and humble demeanor. He was recently honored with a biographical tribute in Xavier''s alumni magazine. George Powell also became an influential figure on the campus of Virginia Union University in Richmond, where he taught psychology and lived with his family, Charlotte Ann (wife), and children George and Angela. While involved with the university, he was influenced by a cultural exchange program for Native American students which left a lasting impression on him and informed his humanitarian perspectives. This inspired George to travel, on two occasions, to the Colorado and South Dakota reservations to avail himself as an ambassador from the university, bringing some young mentees with him for the experience. A full half of a century prior to societal emphasis on diversity and multiculturalism, his genuine interest in foreign places and their people expanded his outreach and grew his circle of friends. George Powell was a skilled athletic recruiter for Virginia Union University and forged the path for many Ohio athletes to find a welcoming home at Virginia Union. His efforts to create scholarly paths to success for students in the field of medicine led to the creation of an endowed scholarship at Virginia Union University, awarded every year, named The George Powell Scholarship for Academic Achievement in Science or Mathematics. After his university life, George Powell''s career path led him to Columbus, Ohio where he anchored his family. He taught courses and coached boys'' and girls'' athletics at Beery and Buckeye Middle Schools and Marion Franklin High School. George''s gentle and encouraging approach to young people, particularly the disadvantaged and at-risk child, was a continuous thread throughout his life. During the middle of his career, the Columbus school board selected him to provide guidance and counsel to children in crisis; a calling that was central to his humanity. It is also during this time that he became a proud brother of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity. George Powell''s identity was deeply rooted in his family homestead in rural North Carolina where generations of his family sustained themselves and their community with tremendous integrity and purpose. Family heritage and the oral tradition were essential to George who always sought to bring his family back to the first place they knew as a means of preserving the foundations that his ancestors laid. As a father, George Powell was present, larger than life, invincible and always loving. He was a barrier-free, philosophical, tour-de-force who provided abundantly, always putting education first. Coach Powell, Big G, George, Daddy and Daddy-O are the endearing names we have for this giant among men. Now, with devotion, we return you to your forefathers and mothers to rest for eternity. The first name on our family tree, Ichabod, was a teacher who taught the others to read. You, George, were the teacher who taught the children to dream beyond their circumstances. George Powell is survived by his children, Angela Teresa Powell and George Winstead Powell. He is survived by grandson, George William Powell. He leaves behind siblings, James Powell, III and Lessie Joyce Daniels (nee Powell). George loved and was loved by countless cousins, nieces, nephews, aunts and uncles. His life was enriched by close family friends including Margaret Summers and Michael Combs. Funeral services will be held on Monday, April 25, 2016 at Turner Memorial AME Church, 7201 16th PL Hyattsville, MD 20783. The viewing is at 10 a.m. and the service is at 11 a.m. The eulogy will be provided by Rev. Mack E. Battle, Senior Pastor of East End Missionary Baptist Church in Rocky Mount, N.C. A special thank you is given to Mr. Hackett for the funeral preparations. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the regional food bank or at feedingamerica.org.Funeral services will be held on Monday, April 25, 2016 at Turner Memorial AME Church, 7201 16th PL Hyattsville, MD 20783. The viewing is at 10 a.m. and the service is at 11 a.m. The eulogy will be provided by Rev. Mack E. Battle, Senior Pastor of East End Missionary Baptist Church in Rocky Mount, N.C. A special thank you is given to Mr. Hackett for the funeral preparations. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the regional food bank or at feedingamerica.org.