Mr. Brady Powell Jr.

   Brady Powell, Jr. entered his eternal home on Wednesday, February 28, 2024
at the age of 87. He was born on October 26, 1936 in Chadbourn, NC to the
late Queen Ester (Vereen) Powell and Brady Powell, Sr. Brady was raised in
Whiteville and Chadbourne NC; respectively, and was educated through
Columbus County Public Schools.
Brady moved to New York City as a young adult and began working as a
Brick Mason, a skill that took him many places, before moving back “Down
South.” Shortly after, he met the late Betty (Gainey) Powell at a basketball
game at West Columbus High School, introduced by his cousin Ann. Betty
came with a little girl, he called “Jumping Bean” and a big Gainey Clan. The
two were wed in 1975 and soon welcomed a bouncing baby boy, affectionately
known by the whole community as “Twan” to round out their little family.
They were married for 33 years.
In 1976 Brady began a new career in law enforcement, serving for many years
as a Police Officer, getting his start in the small community of Fair Bluff NC
(population 709) before moving over to the big city of Lumberton NC
(population 19,000). From there, he joined the Department of Corrections for
Robeson and Scotland Counties, where he retired as a Corrections Officer,
after many years of faithful service.
In many ways, Brady was a simple man. Through laughter and shooting the
breeze with family and friends, he related to most with his quick wit and jokes.
And we can only imagine how many deep thoughts he worked out on his
riding lawn mower, cutting his grass as frequently as twice a week (through
sunshine and rain). One thing for sure, two things for certain; in his last
moments, we didn’t have to imagine the importance of his church home, as a
long-time member of McCormick’s Chapel AME Church, Lumberton NC.
Preceding him in death was his loving wife (Betty Gainey Powell), parents
(Queen Ester and Brady Powell Sr), and siblings (Thurman Powell, Mary Lou
Suggs, Theodore Powell, Burnice “Shorty” Powell, and Queen Ester “Sally”
Gaskins). He is survived by his children. son Antwan Powell (Jacksonville Fl)
and stepdaughter Joel Shannon Powell (Ft. Washington MD); Sister Barbara
McCoy (Jersey City NJ), 7 Grandchildren, 2 Great Grandchildren, and a host
of nieces and nephews.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Mr. Brady Powell Jr., please visit our floral store.