Maria Diprima Powell

Maria Diprima Powell, a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and devout Roman Catholic, passed away at the age of 87 on June 19th, 2024, in Roswell, Georgia. At the time of her death, she was surrounded in love by all of her family.

Born on October 13th, 1936, in Rome, Georgia, Maria was the daughter of Onofrio "Norman" Diprima (of Sutera, Italy, and Rome, Georgia) and Stella Cooper (of Boaz, Alabama, and Rome, Georgia). In December 2023, Maria and her husband, Henry Russell "Russ" Powell, III, celebrated their 62nd wedding anniversary.

Maria was a woman of strong faith, extraordinary courage, and unwavering dedication to her family. Together with Russ, they raised four children and helped raise twelve grandchildren. Her family was the center of her world, and she loved them with all her heart.

Throughout much of her adult life, starting in the 1970s, Maria and Russ were heavily involved in a variety of marriage ministries. They led Catholic encounter groups with the organizations Marriage Encounter, Engaged Encounter, and Retrouvaille. They also helped parish pastors prepare to lead the Parish Renewal Experience—a response to Pope Paul VI's Evangelii Nuntiandi that strengthened Catholic communities and emphasized reconciliation and relationships between pastors and their people. This work was a true passion of hers, and she devoted herself to it wholeheartedly.

In her passing, Maria leaves behind a legacy of love, kindness, courage, and faith. Her family will miss her deeply, but they take comfort in the knowledge that she is now at peace in Heaven, free from pain and suffering.

Maria was preceded in death by her parents. She is survived by her husband, H. Russell Powell, and her four children, Russell N. Powell, Michael J. Powell (Linda Powell), Mary Stella Aucoin (Timothy Aucoin), and Matthew D. Powell (Michelle Powell). Maria is also survived by her grandchildren: Genevieve (Jordan), Joseph (Velera), Anna Terese, Timmy, Catherine Grace, Mary Katherine, Christopher, Ann Marie, Lindsey, Emily, John Michael, & Sarah Mae, and her great grandchild Justilean.

A rosary, visitation, and wake will be held at Sandy Springs Chapel, 136 Mount Vernon Hwy, Sandy Springs, GA on Sunday, June 23, 2024 from 3:00 to 6:00 PM. A Funeral Mass of the Resurrection will be held at Saint Peter Chanel Catholic Church, 11330 Woodstock Rd, Roswell, GA, on Monday, June 24, 2024 at 10:30 AM. Maria’s remains will be interred at Arlington Memorial Park Cemetery in Sandy Springs, Georgia. In her memory, her family asks that in lieu of flowers those who knew her offer an expression of love to someone they care for.

Rest in peace, Maria. We miss you. Your love and the lessons you taught us will forever guide us and remain in our hearts.