Joseph B. Powell, Jr

Joseph B. (Joe) Powell, Jr., 87, of Albany, GA died January 15, 2017. Funeral services will be Thursday, January 19, 2017 at 11:00 AM at Porterfield United Methodist Church. Rev. Leigh Ann Raynor will officiate. Interment will follow at 3:00 PM at Fender Cemetery in Lakeland, GA with Rev. Nate Lehman officiating.
A native of Lanier County, GA, Mr. Powell was raised in Lakeland, GA and graduated from Lakeland High School. He is a veteran of the United States Air Force and served in Korea.
At the University of Georgia, he was a member of the Kappa Alpha Order and graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Agriculture. He received his Doctor of Law Degree from Emory School of Law.
When moving to Albany, GA in 1958, Mr. Powell was employed as an attorney with the Perry and Walters Law Firm. After three years, he joined First State Bank and Trust Company (Regions Bank) and for thirty eight years served as the head of its trust division until his retirement in 1999. He is a past President of the Trust Division of the Georgia Bankers Association.
Mr. Powell was a member of Porterfield Memorial United Methodist Church, served as Chairman of the Board, a member the Alpha Sunday School Class, and sang bass in the church choir for 56 years.
He was involved with numerous organizations. He was Director of the Cancer Society, Director of the March of Dimes, board member and Treasurer of the Albany Chapter of The American Red Cross, Advertising Chairman of the Georgia Bar Journal, Chairman of the United Fund of Dougherty County, President of the Boys Club of Albany, President of United Way of Dougherty County, and an active lifetime member of the Kiwanis Club of Dougherty County. From its inception in the 1960's until 2014, Mr. Powell served on the original Board of Trustees for Albany Junior College/Darton State Foundation. He was the recipient of its first Lifetime Service Award in 2013.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Joseph B. and Neta Mae Powell, Sr. and by his wife, Ruth Ann Dellinger Powell in 2010.
Survivors include his daughter, Susan Powell of Albany, GA, a son Robert D. "Bobby" Powell and his wife, Valerie of Albany, GA, a brother, Jerry Powell of Lakeland, GA, his grandchildren, Laura Leggette of Willits, CA, Catherine Leggette of Marietta, GA, Rebecca Leggette of Atlanta, GA and Andrew Powell of Acworth, GA, and Dee Matthews, his beloved "significant other".
The family headquarters will be at the residence of Bobby and Valerie Powell, 1705 Lowell Lane, Albany.
The family will receive friends Wednesday from 6:00 PM until 8:00 PM at Mathews Funeral Home.
Those desiring may make contributions in the memory of Joseph B. Powell, Jr. to Porterfield Memorial United Methodist Church, 2200 Dawson Road, Albany, GA, 31707.