Mary B Powell

Mary Belle Powell, age 86, resident of Columbus, went to be with the Lord on Wednesday, January 18, 2017. Memorial services are scheduled at Porter Chapel of First Baptist Church, Columbus on Saturday, January 21, 2017, 2 p.m. with Reverend (Dr.) James Elder officiating, according to Striffler-Hamby, Columbus. The family will receive friends prior to the service at the Chapel of First Baptist, Columbus beginning at 1 p.m.

Mrs. Powell, daughter of the late Aubrey Jackson Askew and Mary Hill Askew, was born January 1, 1931 in Columbus. She was a member of First Baptist Church, the Elaine Hammond Sunday School Class, and the Young of Heart. She served in several ministries including the Food Closet and visiting the Homebound. Mary Belle loved the Lord and had a deep passion towards serving the under-privileged through her volunteer work with the Salvation Army, Valley Rescue Mission, and House of Mercy. She was also actively involved with the local community where she was previous long term President, PTA of St. Elmo Elementary School; Leader for the Boy and Girl Scouts, and taught Kindergarten at Morningside Elementary School. Mary Belle was very artistic as demonstrated by her work with crafts and was an avid Georgia Bulldogs fan.

She was preceded in death by her husband, William Emmett Powell, Sr. Mrs. Powell is survived by four children, Kathy Jackson and her husband Buddy of Columbus, William “Butch” Powell, Jr. and his wife Wendy of Columbus, Lisa Offik of Greenville, South Carolina, and Slade Pair and her husband Mike of Columbus; nine grandchildren; eleven great-grandchildren; many other relatives and friends.

The family would like to extend a special thanks to the staff of Columbus Hospice and particularly Tracy, Debbie, and Tiffany. They also want to extend their appreciation to the staff of Orchard View Nursing Facility and particularly Rebecca, Kim, Barbara, and Colette.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions be made to Columbus Hospice at www.columbushospice.com or First Baptist Church, Attn: Food Bank, 212 12th Street, Columbus, Georgia 31901.