Edwin (Eddie) Keith Powell (also known as “Kirk”, “Captain”, “Graham”, “Powell-Egypt”) was born August 29, 1965, in Washington, DC, to Edith Geneva Egypt and the late James R. Graham. Two sons were born of this union. His mother remarried to the late Charles M. Powell, who adopted Edwin and his brother Wade Anthony in 1976. Edwin attended Nannie Helen Burroughs and Webb Elementary schools in Washington, DC. The family later moved to Prince Georges County Maryland where he attended Kenmore Junior High and graduated with honors from Fairmount Heights High School in 1983.
Receiving Christ as his Savior, Eddie joined Florida Avenue Baptist Church and was baptized in 2001. He was a member of the Men’s Ministry and the Tape Ministry.
Eddie honorably served in the U.S. Navy from 1983 to 1994. After his basic training, he was a Ceremonial Honor Guard for two years, stationed at the White House when Ronald Reagan was President. Afterwards when the first President Bush was in office, Eddie got the chance to meet him personally. President Bush was visiting the troops aboard the U.S.S. Forrestal CV-59 aircraft carrier during the Desert Storm era and recognized the Presidential Honor Guard jacket that Eddie was wearing. They got a chance to chat briefly, which was a surprise to the others in Eddie’s work crew and a highlight in Eddie’s day. At that time, he was an Electronic Module Test Console IMA Technician repairing all electronic components on the jet aircrafts that flew from the aircraft carrier. That old saying, “Join the Navy and sea the world,” he did just that during his tenure in the Navy. After the Navy, Eddie worked several job positions where he was able to use his expertise in working with electronics. He also worked with the National Student Clearinghouse and later worked as a contractor with the Homeland Security Administration.
During Eddie’s younger years, he and his brother were active in the Boy Scouts. They also took karate classes where they completed training to get their brown belts. Eddie ran track in high school and loved to play tennis. He also had a love for modeling and became particularly good at it. He once modeled with the Ebony Fashion Show in New York. He got the nickname of “Mr. GQ” because of how he dressed and carried himself. His last fashion show was in Philadelphia, PA in 2019.
Although being single and no children, Eddie had the desire to help other children deal with the issues of life. This led him to volunteer with the Big Brothers Organization where he mentored two young boys. He would get them on Fridays for the weekend and take them on trips to museums, amusement parks, and fishing. He would spend quality time in talking with them, many times getting them to just open up to talk about things that bothered them. He always ended their Sundays bringing them to his mother’s home for a good home-cooked dinner.
Eddie enjoyed dating, going to the movies, playing his video games, dancing, modeling, and eating! He was an avid Washington Redskins football fan. Most of all, he enjoyed family. He kept in touch with many of his aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and cousins. He also kept in touch with many of his Navy buddies, which led to many opportunities to see them during planned reunions on Memorial Day holidays. Like most military men, they would share their memories. Eddie was always glad to see them and they him. He had so many friends it was a wonder that he remembered them all! Everybody loved him no matter who he interacted with throughout his life. But most of all, the love of his mother and brother Wade always came first.
Eddie was preceded in death by his father and stepfather. He leaves to cherish his memory: his mother Edith Geneva Egypt; his brothers Wade Anthony Powell, James Jr., and Gary Graham; sister Laikisha Jeffries (Rick); aunts Deborah Egypt, Frances Palmer, Jean Alexander, Denise Queen, Nefertiti Hawthorne; uncles Franklin Egypt, Melvin Egypt, Lawrence Ben Egypt, Rudie von Egypt, Morris Graham; and a host of other relatives, loved ones, and friends.
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