Carl Powell JR.

Oliver Carlton “Carl” Powell, Jr., 88, passed from this life to the next on Sunday Morning,
April 28, 2019: He was a long time resident of Tuscumbia, AL. He succumbed after a short
bout with liver cancer.

Carl was born in Memphis, TN on August 21, 1930 to Oliver Carlton Powell, Sr. and Rilla
Morris Powell. He lived in Memphis for a few years and later moved with his family to
Tuscumbia, AL where he grew up. He was the second of four children.
He married the late Bettie Pauline Jackson in June 1951 and they were married for 56 years
until her death in 2007. In 2010, Carl married Catherine Newberry and they have been
living in Tuscumbia since that time.

Mr. Powell graduated from Deshler High School in 1949, and then attended
electronics school in Memphis, TN. He then went into sales working for Lowenstiens
Department Store in Memphis, then for Bluff City Distributing, also of Memphis. He
moved his family to Jonesboro, AR to open a branch office for Bluff City and
developed the territory for them. In 1959, the family moved to Sheffield, AL where
he and his father started Powell Electronics, a local firm that thrived from 1959 until
1986. Powell also sold products for several Air and Water purifier companies
earning a number of sales accolades and awards.

Powell Electronics was instrumental in the success of the local recording industry,
providing electronics, microphones, cables, audiotape and more for the studios and
musicians in the area.

Mr. Powell resided in Tuscumbia with his wife, Cathy, who now resides at Mitchell-
Hollingsworth in their Memory care facility. He was at times a Deacon and Elder of the
Church of Christ, worked with Sojourners, was a member of the Sheffield Rotary Club, and
supported numerous causes and charities including Heritage University in Florence, AL and
Tuscumbia Church of Christ. He never met a stranger, could talk with anyone, and loved
travelling and meeting members of the Church wherever he travelled. He was well loved
and appreciated by his family and those who met him.

Mr. Powell is survived by his wife, Catherine Powell; his brother, Bill Powell (Gail) of
Pelham, AL; four sons: G. Jack Powell (Jane) of Florence, AL; Carl Powell III (Susan) of
Huntsville, AL; Tim Powell of Los Angeles, CA; and Barry Powell (Katherine) of Riverview,
FL; Twelve grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren; and many nieces, nephews and
cousins.

His first wife, Bettie Powell; his parents, Mr. and Mrs. O.C. Powell, Sr.; his sister, Jean McCoy;
a brother, Leslie Powell; and two grand children predeceased him.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in his honor to Heritage University,
Tuscumbia Church of Christ Food Bank, or the Scotland Mission Fund at Mayfair Church of
Christ in Huntsville, AL.

Visitation will be at the Tuscumbia Church of Christ from 12-2 pm on Tuesday, April 30th
with services to follow. Jeff Abrams, minister of the church, will preside. Pallbearers will be:
Grandsons, Daniel and Nathan Powell and members of the Tuscumbia Church of Christ.
An abbreviated graveside service will follow at the Oakwood Cemetery in Tuscumbia, AL.
Colbert Memorial Chapel in Tuscumbia, AL will provide funeral services.

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