Lawrence Oliver Powell

LAWRENCE OLIVER POWELL was born on May 7, 1949 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He was the son of the late Herman L. Powell, Sr. and Mildred Adelina Welsh Powell. 

Lawrence received his early education in the Public Schools of Philadelphia, PA graduating from West Philadelphia High School on June 21, 1967.  He graduated from Cheney University in Cheney, PA on May 13, 1984 with a Bachelors of Arts in Biology.  He received several certificates and awards in Biology from Cheney University.

He gave his life to Christ at New Hope Missionary Baptist Church in Apex, North Carolina and was baptized in 2020. At New Hope he was an active member of the Sunday School and was a member of the Second Bible Class. He was very passionate about his study of the Word.  He also served on the Stewardship Ministry.

 He was united with Justina Jones.  They were the parents of nine children  Lawrence Oliver “Atiba”, Afi, Michael “Ampah”, Amelia “Morowa”, Jeffrey “Azido”, Addae, Awotwe, and Akua. Lawrence was united in holy matrimony on May 30, 1997 to Angela Gill in New Hope Missionary Baptist Church.  Their marriage was the first held in the new sanctuary.

Lawrence was preceded in death by his brother Herman Joel Powell.

Lawrence earned his Public Housing Manager accreditation on October 14, 1988 and worked as a Public Housing Manager.  He was employed at Weldon Middle School PTSA in Weldon, North Carolina.  He retired from Duke Hospital in Durham, NC in 2015 after seventeen years of service.

He leaves to cherish loving memories his wife, Angela Powell; one sister Joan Elaine Powell of Philadelphia, PA; three daughters Afi Powell Waley and husband Devin Waley, Amelia “Morowa” Powell, and Ayodale Powell Richards and husband Craig Richards; six sons, Lawrence Oliver “Atiba” Powell, II, Michael Powell and wife Samira Powell, Jeffrey “Azido” Powell and wife Shamika Powell, Addae Powell, Awotwe Powell and wife Khaisha Powell,  and Akua Powell all of Philadelphia, PA ; one uncle Leslie Powell of Philadelphia, PA; sixteen grandchildren, one great granddaughter and many other relatives  and friends.

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