Clarence Glenn Powell

TUSCALOOSA Clarence “Glenn” Powell of Tuscaloosa died on March 11, 2024 at Aspire Physical Recovery Center of West Alabama. A celebration of life and a memorial service for him will be held at 3 p.m. on Friday, March 22, 2024 at the First United Methodist Church of Tuscaloosa. His pastor, Rev. Clinton Hubbard, will lead the service.

Glenn’s beautiful wife, Caroline Powell, who was his childhood sweetheart and the one true love of his life preceded him in death. His father, James Blackmon Powell, and his mother, Anne Glenn Powell, also preceded him in death.

He is survived by his son, Benjamin C. Powell and his wife Virginia and their four children, Nathan, Drake, Genevieve, and Oliver; his son, Daniel C. Powell and his wife Nicole and their two children, Peter and Mary Caroline; and his brothers, James Blackmon Powell II, his wife Mary and their children James and Ashley and their children; his brother Benjamin Philip Powell, his wife Jeanne and their children, Elizabeth, Benjamin and Anne and their children. He is also survived by his sister-in-law, Rebecca Glagola and her husband Charles and their children, Jennie and Caroline.

Glenn was a native son of Alabama and graduated from public schools in Union Springs, Alabama. He earned a bachelor of arts degree from The University of Alabama in 1964 and an L.L.B. from the School of Law in 1966. He graduated as a member of the Farrah Order of Jurisprudence, president and treasurer of the Phi Delta Phi legal fraternity, case note editor of the Alabama Law Review, vice president of Bench and Bar, co-chair of Law Day and participant in the American Jurisprudence Awards.

After graduating from law school, Glenn served two years as a first lieutenant in the Artillery Branch of the US Army before entering private practice in 1968 as a member of the firm of McQueen, Ray and Allison in Tuscaloosa. In March of 1973, he returned to his alma mater as University Business Counsel representing the Vice President of Financial Affairs in a broad range of matters including taxation, contract review, insurance and compensation. Glenn took his family to New York City in 1975 where he took courses at New York University’s tax program as the Gerald Wallace Fellow.

Glenn was named Deputy General Counsel for The University of Alabama System in 1975 and then General Counsel in 1990. He served in exemplary fashion as the senior member of The University of Alabama System’s legal team during a time of unprecedented challenges and growth.

Glenn invested time and energy in too many philanthropic organizations to list. Closest to his heart were the First United Methodist Church, the Tuscaloosa Community Soup Bowl, Love Inc., and the Boy Scouts of America. He served as president of the Artos Sunday School class, taught disciple classes and helped bring a columbarium to the church. He served on the Board for Love, Inc. and the Soup Bowl and was awarded the Silver Beaver award of service by the Black Warrior Council of Boy Scouts.

Glenn will be remembered for his warmth and amazing sense of humor that could fill any room with roaring laughter. He was a devoted husband and loving father always finding ways to create fun for his family. He filled the house with love and tunes from his grand piano.

Glenn also told amazing ghost stories with ghastly details and his Thanksgiving blessings were unparalleled. Glenn had a creative imagination and his family will miss his patience and compassion.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The First United Methodist Church of Tuscaloosa, the Black Warrior Council of the Boy Scouts of America, Love, Inc., the Tuscaloosa Soup Bowl or to the charity of the donor’s choice.