Loran E. Powell (MARTINEZ, Ga.)

MARTINEZ, Ga. - Loran E. Powell, 88, husband of Blanche Meadows Berry Powell, entered into rest on October 26, 2008 at home. A native of Johnson County, Mr. Powell attended John Milledge School, Richmond Academy and the Junior College of Augusta before his Phi Beta graduation in 1940 from the University of Georgia. After graduation, Mr. Powell served as an elementary school principal in Richmond County, completed four years of enlisted and commissioned service in the Calvary and Signal Corps in WWII, and entered the life insurance business in 1946, joining the Life Underwriter Training Council. In 1981, after serving as LUTC's President and CEO, he took early retirement, returning to Augusta and settling in West Lake. Mr. Powell was a 20-year member of the National Hills Lions Club where he was twice voted Lion of the Year. He was also a member of Martinez Baptist Church, Troy Wilson's Sunday School Class, Christians On The Go and "The Singing Seniors". Mr. Powell expressed gratitude to Crawford Avenue Baptist, National Hills Baptist, Warren Baptist and Martinez Baptist Churches, which nurtured and led him for many years, as well as Odyssey Home Care (Angela) and Augusta Oncology (Miriam Adkins) for their excellent care. Mr. Powell was preceded in death by his first wife of 61 years, Annie Ruth Crozier Powell, his parents, Charles Layton Powell and Sallie Lou Price Powell, and a brother, Medford Layton Powell (Ann), and a brother who died at birth. Survivors in addition to his wife, Blanche, include two children, Loran Eugene Powell (Joanne) of Murrieta, CA, and Gwendolyn Dianne Thompson (Thomas) of Locust Grove, VA, a brother, Charles Edward Powell (Martha) of Fairfield, AL two grandsons, Loran Robert Powell and Stephen Ray Thompson (Tresha), and three great grandchildren, Ashleigh Irene Powell, Evan Ray Thompson and Nathan Vaughan Thompson. Mr. Powell is also survived by three step-sons, George Berry III (Diane), Charles E. Berry, and Brian Berry (Montica), as well as four step grandchildren, Kristen Amber Berry, Malloree Ann Berry, Taylor Smiley, and Cooper Smiley. Funeral Services will be held Wednesday, Oct 29, 2008 at 2:00 P.M. at Thomas Poteet and Son Chapel with Rev. Phil Winsett and Rev. Terry Doss officiating. Interment will follow at Westover Memorial Park. Pallbearers will be Clarence Freeman, Rocky Hendrix, Ken Griner, George Akins, Troy Wilson and Robert Washington. Honorary Pallbearers will be John Hoover, National Hills Lion Club and the Deacons of Martinez Baptist Church. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Martinez Baptist Church Building Fund, 3632 Lynnwood Drive, Martinez, GA 30907. Family will receive friends Tuesday evening from 6:00 until 8:00 P.M at Thomas Poteet and Son Funeral Directors, 214 Davis Road, Augusta, GA 30907, (706) 364- 8484. www.thomaspoteet.com . Sign the guestbook at AugustaChronicle.com

The Augusta Chronicle-October 28, 2008