Reverend James Hugh Powell

Reverend Powell was born in Roanoke, Virginia on October 27, 1929, the son of the late Natalie Stultz Powell and the late Horatio Hugh Powell. He died on Thursday, June 19, 2014 at MRC Pinecrest.

Survivors include his daughter, Lynn Powell Torres and husband Pablo Torres, Jr.; grandson, Jeremy Skyler Torres and his wife Naomi; granddaughter, Jessica Leigh Cantrell and her husband Ryan; great granddaughters, Mikaela and Aeva Torres, all from Lufkin, brothers, Don A. Powell and Arnie Levin from Louisville, Kentucky; sister, Alyce Gannaway and husband Bill from Topeka, Kansas; nephews, Art Henson III, David Henson, Michael Henson and wife Pilar, Bill Gannaway and wife Tina; nieces, Jane Gannaway, Deborah Brock and husband Michael, and Barbara Gannaway; and numerous cousins from Virginia and Georgia.

Reverend Powell graduated from Male High School in Louisville, Kentucky in June of 1947. He attended the University of Virginia and graduated with a Bachelor’s of Science in Chemistry in 1951. He served as a 2nd Lieutenant in the United States Army and saw gunnery action in the Korean War. He was honorably discharged in 1953, returned to Louisville, Kentucky, and married Vivian Ellen Glass in 1953. He then began what his family called his first career as an insurance salesman for Kentucky Central and New York Life Insurance Companies. In 1975 he began his second career by attending Vanderbilt University and receiving his Doctorate of Divinity. After preaching for many years in small Methodist churches throughout western and southern Kentucky, he moved to Texas in 1980. His churches in Texas included Henry’s Chapel in Price, Texas, Carlisle United Methodist Church in Carlisle, Texas, Rayburn Country United Methodist Church near Jasper and the United Methodist Church of Shelbyville. He moved to Lufkin to be nearer to his family, especially his grandchildren, and became the assistant pastor for First United Methodist Church.

In addition to his parents, Reverend Powell was preceded in death by his wife of 51 years, Vivian Ellen Glass Powell.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Christ Church of Lufkin, Texas or Books That Benefit to ensure that a young child develops a love of reading. Visit booksthatbenfit.com.

A visitation will be held on Monday, June 30, 2014 from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at Gipson Funeral Home.

Condolences may be offered at www.gipsonfuneralhome.com

Services have been placed in the trust of Gipson Funeral Home