May 22, 1933 – September 12, 2021
Charis was a true Florida native, born in Lake City Florida on a beautiful spring day. As a career Navy wife, she spread Florida sunshine throughout the globe wherever Hood was stationed. She immersed herself in Japanese, Pacific and Spanish cultures and travelled Eurail in the 70s to explore all she could. And she shared everything she knew and loved about her own beloved country everywhere she went!
She had four passionate loves in her life: John Hood Powell to whom she was devoted for 70 years; her immediate and extended families with whom she stayed in touch religiously and rarely hesitated to debate; her dearly beloved Lord and her church families at bible studies, women’s groups, and most of all her church choirs. Her interest in her faith extended beyond the emotional and ephemeral aspect; she studied academically to uncover everything she could, seeking those more wise than she,but always so in love on a personal level with her Lord and overwhelmed by His unexplainable Grace.
The devotion and connection she and Hood had was best explained by dear friend and spiritual advisor Dr. Herb Sadler. “You know that ‘HoodAndCharis’ is all one word,” he emphasized. “Those two truly became one.” They were inseparable: worked together; built together; played together; passionately followed FSU, LSU, Navy and Dartmouth football together; farmed together and studied together.
She received her Early Childhood Education from Florida State University in 1955, and her master’s degree in Reading and ECE in 1978. Even when not standing in front of a classroom, Charis naturally taught and inspired everyone everywhere with the wealth of data and mysteries stored in her nearly-didactic brain. We all have stories of her dragging us along paths to explore all things beautiful, accept ourselves and others no matter how different, stand strong for ourselves and those we know and love and fight for what is right, good, and Created.
She never forgot a name, rarely forgot the names of others’ children and even grandchildren she’d only met or heard about once. She loved greeting church goers each week for decades, especially children on their way to Sunday School, really connecting with each one, encouraging their specific traits or hobbies, asking about their games or activities. She clipped and shared Gulf Breeze News clippings for decades, and even left behind boxes featuring the accomplishments of others that she was never able to share due to Covid, her committed care of Hood in the final years or simply for the fact that there was never enough time in any day on earth for her to complete all the connections and commitments with which she charged herself.
She was genuinely and consistently interested in others’ lives and challenges and lifted them in prayer. Every Monday meant prayer on her knees. Dedicated, intercessory prayer with a profound expectation for miracles. And many have reported exactly that outcome. Whether delivery from drug addiction, or the gift of a “impossible” baby, or a reconciled (irreconcilable) marriage, Charis’ prayers were constant and availed much.
She remained the adventurous, eco-minded daughter of a Florida State Forester despite her mother delicately pounding Southern Ladyhood into her brain for 22 years. She climbed trees, machete-cleared the fence line of her 54-acre farm in her 80s, and also lit up every room with her halo or white hair and loud infectious laugh. She could be intimidating with her insistent prayer-driven intimacy, never gossiped and yet knew everything about everybody!
She is now in heaven with her precious daughter Charod Anne Powell, beloved sister Sora Ann Coulter Gross, adored brother Clinton Huxley Coulter, Jr., her amazing mother Sora Collins Embry Coulter, her absolute hero and “daddy” Clinton Huxley Coulter, Sr., her champions and in-laws, Velva Lois Garber Powell and John Augustus Powell and many beloved in-laws, outlaws, cousins, nieces and nephews.
Daughters Linda (Cliff) Vannoy and Vici (Greg) Papajohn and grandchildren Carroll (Haley) Papajohn, Riley Vannoy, Allison Vannoy, Grace (Evan) Papajohn Garfinkel, and Sallie (George) Papajohn Neese and grandchildren Collins Victoria Papajohn, Thatcher Sy Garfinkel, Duke Augutus Papajohn and soon to be welcomed baby boy Garfinkel survive her.
A Joint Celebration of Life will be held for both John Hood Powell and Charis Coulter Powell on Monday, December 13 at Gulf Breeze United Methodist Church at 11:00 am.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.oaklawnfunerals.com for the Powell family.
SHARE OBITUARY
v.1.8.18