Robert "Bobby" Odell Powell

     Robert Odell “Bobby” Powell born on June 28, 1933 in Sampson County, NC died on March 11, 2020 and is now absent from the body and to be present with the LORD (2 Cor. 5:8). He lived in Burgaw, NC, until his health declined and needed medical care where he lived as a resident at the Stonebridge Assisted Living in Hampstead, NC for more than five years.

      He is survived by his three sons, Dr. Tim Powell and wife Debbie of Hampstead, Gary Powell and wife Dale of Hampstead, and Kent Powell and wife Andrea of Surf City, NC; grandchildren, Slater Powell (Michelle) of Hampstead and Bimini Ketchum (Keith) of Koloa, Kauai, and seven great-grandchildren.

     He is preceded in death by his parents, Eddie King Powell and Brownie Douglas Murray Powell of Burgaw, NC; his sister, Purnell Bunting of Dwight, Ill; and his wife of 65 years, Rachel Ives Powell. “And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also” (John 14:3.)   

     Daddy lived as a witness to his LORD pointing as many others to Jesus through his humble sacrificial helping hand to anyone in need. He served after being drafted into the US Army in 1952 in the 176th Signal Corp. as an electronic engineer. Upon his honorable discharge from the Army, he enrolled in Wilmington College (now UNCW) achieving an associate degree in drafting/engineering while working part-time on a NC Dept. of Transportation survey team. He then gained full time employment with NCDOT and was promoted to Division Maintenance Engineer until his retirement in 1987. He was a life-long member of the Burgaw Lions Club which sponsored Boy Scout Troop 242 and served as Scoutmaster for many years of that troop. One of his favorite hobbies besides keeping appliances repaired for friends in the neighborhood, was the joy of restoring his 1929 Model A Ford Pickup and 1928 Model A car. Daddy understood the importance of time and made the best use of his time as anybody that I know. 

     The family will receive friends 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, March 17, 2020 at Quinn McGowen Funeral Home in Burgaw with funeral service beginning at 11:00 a.m. The Reverend William Smith will conduct the service. Burial will follow in Burgaw Cemetery. 

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 A service of Quinn McGowen Funeral Home, Burgaw.

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