Joyce C. Powell

Joyce C. Powell, 83, of Valdosta, passed away on Wednesday, January 21, 2015 surrounded by her family at South Georgia Medical Center. Mrs. Powell was born in Lewiston, NY on October 22, 1931 to the late Victor Eugene & Annella Wilkes Chittenden. The family moved to Brunswick, GA in the early 40's and she attended and graduated from Glynn Academy High School. She then graduated as a Registered Nurse from Piedmont Hospital School of Nursing. Mrs. Powell soon met and eventually married a young Air Force Officer and Pilot from Swainsboro, Grayson Powell. One of her early jobs here was at Pineview General Hospital (now South Georgia Medical Center). She followed her husband to many locations around the world during his Air Force career and then settled back here in Valdosta. During her nursing career, she was instrumental in organizing the first hospice program in Valdosta, Hospice of South Georgia and was its first Patient Care Coordinator. In the mid 60's Mrs. Powell participated in a series of homemaker contests, winning Mrs. Valdosta, Mrs. Golden Isles, and as runner up in the Mrs. Georgia Contest which was a part of the Mrs. America Contest. An avid golfer, she was a member of the Valdosta Country Club Ladies Golf Association and served as their president for three consecutive years. She also served as director of TOPS Club for South Georgia and enjoyed playing cards with her friends as a member the Azalea City Duplicate Bridge Club. The Powells were members of First Presbyterian Church for many years, as she sang in the choirs there, but currently was a member of Christ Fellowship Church. Bible Study Fellowship (BSF) was also an important part of her life as she studied about her beloved savior Jesus and served as a discussion leader. Mrs. Powell was a loving and devoted wife, mother and grandmother who loved sewing, working in her yard and garden, and baking beautiful cakes. In addition to her family, she was also devoted to her many friends and extended family members.
Survivors include her husband of 62 years, Grayson Powell (USAF Ret.) of Valdosta; her son and daughter in law, Carl & Gretchen Powell , of Valdosta; her daughter Kathleen Robinson of Stockbridge and her grandsons, Joshua Coombs, Jason Coombs, Andrew Robinson, Zachary Robinson, all of Stockbridge, and Michael Bennett of Valdosta; a granddaughter, Ryan Ann (Curt Watson) Wisham of Valdosta and two great grandchildren, Madison Wisham and Gavin Watson. Also surviving are two sisters, Barbara Swindell of Naylor, and Gay (Bobby) Dollar of Abingdon, VA; a brother, Leon (Barbara) Chittenden of New Johnsonville, TN and several nieces, nephews, cousins and other relatives and a special friend and companion, Penny Wills. In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by two sisters, Phyllis Murrhee, and Bonita Louise Chittenden.
A funeral service for Mrs. Powell will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, January 24, 2015 in the chapel of Carson McLane Funeral Home. Rev. Ken Webb will officiate. Burial will follow at McLane Riverview Memorial Gardens. The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Friday evening from 6 until 8 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Hospice of South Georgia or Christ Fellowship Church. Condolences may be conveyed to the family on the obituary page of www.mclanecares.com Carson McLane Funeral Home


Funeral Home:
Carson McLane Funeral Home
2215 North Patterson Street
Valdosta, GA
US 31602