James L Powell Jr.

James L. Powell, Jr., age 89 of Franklin, Tennessee, passed away peacefully on April 13, 2025, leaving behind a legacy of faith, love, and steadfast devotion to service. A man of great humility and strength, Jim Powell dedicated his life to his faith, his family, and the people he was called to serve.

Born December 17, 1935, in Greensboro, North Carolina, the only son of Martha and Lee Powell, Jim came into the world with a heart full of kindness and a mind eager to learn. As a teenager, he professed his faith in Christ and was baptized at Magnolia Street Baptist Church—an early sign of the deep spiritual path he would follow all his life.

Jim graduated from Greensboro Senior High School, where he served as senior class president, already exhibiting the leadership and integrity that would define his life. He went on to attend Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, earning a B.A. in sociology with minors in psychology and philosophy. There, he was president of the freshman class, a member of the Wake Forest Honor Council, Kappa Alpha Order, and Omicron Delta Kappa leadership fraternity. His deep commitment to the Baptist Student Union (BSU) culminated in his election as BSU president for the state of North Carolina.

His call to ministry led him to The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky, where he earned Bachelor and Master of Divinity degrees and a Doctor of Ministry degree. While a first-year student, he was ordained to the ministry by Jordan Baptist Church in Eagle Station, Kentucky.

Jim answered his country’s call as a Southern Baptist Chaplain in the U.S. Naval Reserve, serving with grace and compassion until his honorable discharge in 1967 at the rank of LTJG.

Throughout his life, Jim shepherded congregations with wisdom and compassion as pastor of Jordan Baptist Church (KY), South Main Baptist Church (TX), First Baptist Church of Mount Airy (NC), and First Baptist Church of Laurinburg (NC). In his later years, he continued to serve faithfully as an interim pastor in Nashville, TN and Florence, AL.

At First Baptist Church, Nashville, his faith continued to shine as he served as a Life Deacon, Sunday School teacher, Sanctuary Choir member, and chairman of various committees. His presence was always warm, generous, and encouraging. He was a 52-year member of First Baptist Church, Nashville, where his presence will be profoundly missed.

Jim also made a lasting impact through his work with the Southern Baptist Convention. As Executive Vice President of Cooperative Program Promotion for the SBC Stewardship Commission from 1973 until his retirement in 1999, he used his gifts in communication and vision to support churches and ministries across the country. He wrote prolifically for Southern Baptist periodicals and coordinated impactful Cooperative Program films that inspired countless congregations.

Outside the church, Jim had a deep love for sports and community. He was a proud member of the Vanderbilt University Basketball Statistics Crew and served as a TSSAA basketball referee for the Middle Tennessee Basketball Association. He also loved serving the Alpha Delta Pi Sorority, Zeta Rho Chapter at Vanderbilt University as a member of their housing corp.

Jim is survived by the love of his life, his wife of 65 years, Henrietta, with whom he shared a bond built on deep faith, friendship and abiding love. Together, they raised a beautiful family—son Peter (Kim) Powell, daughter Reed (Tim) Christian, and grandchildren Matthew (Kaity) Powell, Alli (Tyler) Yeomans, and Colton (Jayde) Christian, and his beloved great-granddaughter, Everleigh Christian.

To know James L. Powell, Jr. was to witness a life of grace in action. He was a gentle shepherd, a thoughtful leader, and a steady presence for all who knew him. His voice, his quick wit, his infectious smile, his twinkling blue eyes, and his unwavering kindness will echo in the hearts of those who loved him.

His was a life well lived, a race faithfully run, and a servant heart now at rest in the arms of his Savior.

“Well done, good and faithful servant.” – Matthew 25:23

A Gathering of Family & Friends will be Wednesday, April 16, 2025, from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM and Thursday, April 17, 2025, from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM at Brentwood-Roesch-Patton Funeral Home. A Celebration of Life will be Thursday, April 17, 2025, at 11:00 AM, at Brentwood-Roesch-Patton. Following will be burial at Woodlawn Memorial Park.