Lowell "Tommy" Powell

Bluefield, WV- Lowell T. “Tommy” Powell, 76, of Route 1, Box 183-A, Bluefield, WV, died Monday August 1, 2011 at his home surrounded by his family. Born August 22, 1934 in Berwind, WV, he was a son of the late Newton C. Powell and Ida B. Cochran Powell. He was a 1952 graduate of Iaeger High School, where he met and married his high school sweetheart. Mr. Powell proudly served as a Hospital Corpsman in the United States Navy. He was a Dispatcher in Transportation at the Naval Hospital, while stationed in Camp Lejuene, NC. Mr. Powell retired from Norfolk & Southern Railway where he was employed as an Engineer for 34 years. He loved trains and was an avid collector of railroad memorabilia. He was a member of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers. Tommy enjoyed coin collecting; and as an animal lover, he also enjoyed bird watching. Mr. Powell was a diehard West Virginia Mountaineer fan. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his loving wife of 56 years, Olaf Louise “Bootie” Powell; one son, J. Mark Powell; two sisters, Dorothy Walls and Mildred McKinney; and one brother, Hobart Powell. Left to cherish his memory are his children Steve Powell and his wife Sam of Princeton, WV, Vickey Powell Tolbert and her husband Jim of Princeton, WV, David Powell and his wife Cindy of Knoxville, TN and Leah Powell of Bluefield, WV; two sisters, Libby Campbell and husband Ralph and Ruth Copley; two brothers, H.C. Powell and wife Bev and Danny Powell and wife Patsy; thirteen grandchildren, Julie Lilly and her husband Shawn, Jason Powell and his wife Missy, Elizabeth Tolbert, Andy Tolbert, Emily Tolbert, Erin Powell, Amanda Powell, Nicholas Powell, Harrison Powell, Morgan Powell, Jeremiah Johnson, Courtney Matney and her husband Jon, and Kala Johnson; six great-grandchildren, Jakeb Lilly, Nathan Lilly, Hunter Powell, Hayden Powell, Hailynn Powell Zoey Elizabeth Tolbert; and many nieces and nephews. In accordance with Mr. Powell’s wishes, he will be cremated and services will be private. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions, if desired, be made to Hospice Compassus, 100 Shaker Lane, Princeton, WV 24740. Those wishing to share memories or condolence messages with the family may do so by visiting www.MercerFuneralHome.com Mercer Funeral Home & Crematory is serving the family of Mr. Lowell T. “Tommy” Powell.

Lowell "Tommy" Powell

August 22, 1934 - August 1, 2011