James Gwin Powell (Jim), 79, of Jackson, Mississippi passed away peacefully on March 11, 2026.
Jim was born June 6, 1946, in Kosciusko, MS, to Maggie Dee Black Powell and John William Powell, Jr. His days were spent enjoying small town life of the 1950s & 1960s in Kosciusko. He was a 1964 graduate of Kosciusko High School, then received his BS degree in Banking & Finance from Mississippi State University. In college, he was a member of Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity and served as pledge trainer. During this time, Jim, aka “Chopper,” forged many lifelong friendships which he always treasured.
In 1969 he married Dianne Chapman of Kosciusko. They began life first in West Point, MS, where he joined North Mississippi Industrial Development Association, working to attract industry to counties in North MS. In 1972 he became executive director of Meridian Industrial Foundation and led the organization through very productive years of major industrial growth in Lauderdale County. During this time, he achieved several professional designations such as board member and president of the MS Economic Development Council (MEDC) and the Southern Economic Development Council (SEDC). In 1976 he received the Certified Industrial Developer designation by the American Industrial Development Council.
Moving to Jackson in 1981, Jim served as economic development director at the Greater Jackson Chamber of Commerce. Soon after, he was licensed as a commercial real estate broker, later establishing James G. Powell Company in 1988. Jim would serve as the economic development consultant for the City of Clinton from 1993-2013, while continuing his commercial brokerage and property management business. In 2010 he was awarded the SEDC Honorary Life Member designation.
Jim enjoyed hunting and fishing throughout his life. The joy of five grandchildren was one of the best parts of his life. He was a member of First Baptist Church of Jackson and enjoyed being a part of the Followers Sunday School class.
Jim is preceded in death by his parents, brother John William Powell, III of Memphis and sister, Margaret Powell Holmes of Kosciusko. He is survived by his wife Dianne Chapman Powell, daughter Holly Powell Dean (Scott) of Madison, son Davis Powell (Meg) of Shreveport, LA and his grandchildren, Robert Walker Dean, William Chapman Dean, Patrick Scott Dean, Graham Davis Powell, and Anna Grace Powell. Many nieces and nephews loved him, as well! He always appreciated the special relationship with the Dock Atwood family of Kosciusko who provided love and watchcare many times through the years.
The family would like to thank Dr. Brad Castle of Baptist Health, Dr. Maria Rappai and Anna Walley, NP of Jackson Pulmonary and Ashley Allen, NP of UMMC for their exceptional care and support.
Visitation will be held on Friday, March 20th at 11am, followed by a memorial service at 12 noon at the First Baptist Church Chapel, Jackson MS.
In honor of his compassion for those in need, memorials may be made to Hope House of Hospitality in Jackson, MS (hopehouseofhospitality1985.org), a cause of your choice, or even an individual in need.
