Malcolm E. Powell

Malcolm E. Powell, age 94, went to be with his Heavenly Father on December 2, 2022 following a brief illness. He was born on August 8, 1928 in Lindale, GA and was the youngest of seven children born to Eunice and Malcolm Powell. The family moved to Trion, GA where he spent most of his childhood years. After attending various colleges, he graduated from Georgia State University with a BBA. His love of country led him to join the United States Air Force where he served during the Korean War.

Malcolm considered Musette, his wife of nearly 67 years, to be his greatest gift. They married on December 17, 1955 and were blessed with four children and a wonderful life. He settled his growing family in Dunwoody, GA in 1963. He and Musette joined Dunwoody United Methodist Church where he was an active member serving on the Board of Trustees and alongside many lifelong friends.

He started his business career as a bookkeeper for different real estate firms and home builders. One of his clients, Spratlin and Mallard, employed a man named Jim Cowart as a building superintendent. Malcolm and Jim met and decided to form a building company of their own named James H. Cowart, Inc. The two complimented each other and worked well together. They built nearly 900 homes in and around the Dunwoody area during the 1960’s to mid 1970’s. Some of the communities include Village Mill (named after his childhood mill village town of Trion), Chateau Woods, North Springs, Wynterhall, Meadowlake, and Murphy Candler Estates. Malcolm would say, “when you’re in partnership with another person you always have to look after their best interests.” One of their greatest business achievements was the assemblage of over 320 acres which is now the site of Perimeter Mall and Perimeter Center Office Park. These developments would fuel tremendous growth on the northside of Atlanta for decades to come.

Malcolm continued to be active in residential real estate throughout the 1970’s and 1980’s developing Spindlewick, Bassett Hall, and co-developing Brooke Farm subdivisions. He also co-developed many acres in the heart of Dunwoody known as Ashford Center Parkway, which now connects Ashford Dunwoody Road to Chamblee Dunwoody Road. As his sons entered the real estate development profession in the 1990’s, he was instrumental in securing the purchase of property for various communities from Dunwoody to Alpharetta. These include Bailey Estates, Village Springs, Nesbit Downs, Meadow Gate, and Warrenton.

He was widely known for his excellent name, impeccable reputation, and high moral character. He almost always entered into a real estate transaction in writing, but a handshake agreement from Malcolm Powell was golden.

Some of his most enjoyable times were spent on the golf course with his sons and close friends. He was fortunate to have played some of the most renowned courses in the world. He especially loved attending The Masters Golf Tournament with family and friends and eating chicken and pimento cheese sandwiches on the sixteenth hole. One of Malcolm’s greatest priorities was his family. He treasured time with his eleven grandchildren, attending their extracurricular activities and praying over each of their pictures on a daily basis.

Malcolm’s extraordinary kindness and extreme generosity was an intentional reflection of the love he had received from his Heavenly Father. He was quick to support ministries that focused on introducing others to Jesus. He had a personal heart for widows in the church, orphans, medical support for children, and diabetes and blindness research. He was an outstanding husband, father, uncle, grandfather, and friend to so many. He will be greatly and painfully missed. He is survived by his beautiful and loving wife Musette; his daughter Kristi L. Adams (Mark), grandson Christian and granddaughter Sarah; his daughter Joni L. Gottlich (Matt), grandson Matthew, granddaughter Brittany, granddaughter Elizabeth Gair (Chris), and grandson Garrett; his son Brian E. Powell (Sabrina), granddaughter Cheney and grandson Lawson; his son Steven M. Powell (Stephanie), granddaughter Payton, grandson Mason, grandson Bo; and numerous cousins and friends.

Visitation will be on Friday, December 9th from 12:30 - 2:00 with a celebration of life service immediately following at Dunwoody United Methodist Church located at 1548 Mt. Vernon Road, Dunwoody, GA 30338.

**The family requests that you please wear any shade of blue to honor Malcolm’s life, as that was his favorite color. **

In lieu of flowers, family requests donations be made in honor of Malcolm Powell to Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF), the autoimmune disease that has affected Malcolm’s daughter and two granddaughters.