Clifton Watts Powell

Clifton Watts Powell, 93, left us peacefully Saturday morning May 26th, 2012 to be with his Lord and Savior, after a long illness at Rex Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center in Raleigh. He was preceded in death by his daughter, Janet Anne Powell, and he always looked to being reunited with her.

"Pop-Pop" as he was known and loved, was born and raised in Auburn/Garner, N.C., one of 3 brothers, John Russell Powell Jr. (deceased) and Harold Powell of Asheboro, N.C. They were all guided by the Christian hands of their parents John Russell and Margaurite Powell.

Following graduation at Garner High School and Accounting school at Mars Hill College, he left North Carolina to serve with honor as an Intelligence Specialist with the 390th Bombardment Group of the 8th Air Force in England during the European Theater of World War II. He was awarded the Good Conduct Medal, EAME Service Medal, American Theater Medal, Victory Medal and 3 Bronze Stars. En Route to the Pacific Theater, his plane was radioed and notified of the Japanese Surrender ending the war.

Upon returning home to Wake County, N.C., he met and married his sweetheart, Anne Grey Moore of Selma, N.C. They married in May of 1946, and on their anniversary after 66 years of marriage he was still calling her "his sweetie" and telling her "you're so pretty."

He served in Customer Accounting and as Accounting Coordinator for Carolina Power and Light Co. for 44 years. Retiring (the first time) in 1983, he changed careers and was named the treasurer of the Baptist Foundation retiring there in 2004 and in 2005 was honored with the prestigious Heritage Award for his Christian Service.

A lifelong member of Forest Hills Baptist Church in Raleigh, he served on pastoral search committees, finance committees, innumerable years as a deacon and as Chairman of the Deacons and was totally committed to his church, Christian ministry, and the teachings of Jesus Christ.

His life passions were his Christian walk, his family, his church, his grandchildren-Rebecca, David Jr., his great-granddaughter, Alex and his late in life passion for golf-narrowly missing his second hole-in-one when he was nearly 80.

He is survived by his wife, "sweetie", Anne Moore Powell of Raleigh, his son Dr. David Powell and wife Donna, of Raleigh; brother Harold Powell of Asheboro; Grandchildren - Rebecca Lee Powell of Raleigh and David Powell Jr. of Palo Alto California and great-granddaughter Alexandra DelFabbro of Raleigh. He is also survived by the Auman and Watts families of West End, N.C., and his extended Christian Family at Forest Hills Baptist Church.

Visitation will be at Forest Hills Baptist Church on Dixie Trail in Raleigh May 29th 2012 from 12:30 to 1:30 with funeral services at 2pm. Burial to follow at Raleigh Memorial Park, 7501 Glenwood Ave. In lieu of flowers the family requests any contributions to the ministries at Forest Hills Baptist Church-Raleigh.

The family wishes to expressly thank the caregivers at Rex Rehabilitation and Nursing Care Center for their care, concern and compassion during the last 2 years-they are "Chosen for Excellence" We will miss you Pop-Pop…….

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