The University of Alabama football team lost its number one fan this week when Fred A. Powell (class of ‘50) peacefully passed away on October 14 at his home in Jackson. Born in 1929 in Birmingham, Alabama he held several senior executive positions with the IBM corporation in multiple branches throughout the eastern United States. This included 14 years at IBM headquarters in Armonk, New York before he moved to Jackson to become the branch manager here in 1980. He remained in that position until his retirement in 1985. As he often said, the only thing more important to him than the Crimson Tide was his family: his loving companion, Joan Patton Haynie, son John Russell Powell (Linda), daughter Virginia Powell McPeak (Bryan), grandson Michael Powell (Kayli), granddaughters Rachel Powell, Melinda Vukonich (Christopher), Morgan McPeak (Stephen), and great-grandchildren Nickolas and Sofia. He was predeceased by his wife, Jimmie Nell Powell and son David Carlisle Powell. We will all miss him for his sensible and intelligent guidance, his wisdom, his keen insight on so many different subjects, but mostly for his fantastic sense of humor. He loved a good joke, and could tell one like a pro. His kindness, his neighborliness, his loyalty to his friends, charitable work, and community service will leave a hole in the community. We will miss him terribly, and hope to be reunited one day. But until then, Roll Tide! Visitation will be held at Sebrell Funeral Home at 425 Northpark Dr, Ridgeland, MS 39157 on Wednesday, October 18 from 1:00-3:00 PM. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Fred’s memory to the Stew Pot at 1100 W Capitol St, Jackson, MS 39203 or The Salvation Army.
