Acknowledgements

I’M Free
Don’t grieve for me, for now I’m free
I’m following the path God laid you see
I took his hand when I heard Him call, I turned my
back and left it all
I could not stay another day
To Laugh, to love, to work or play
Tasks left undone must stay that way
Compassion
I found that peace at the close of the day
If my parting has left a void, then fill it with remembered joys
A friendship shared, a laugh, a kiss
Oh yes, these things I too will miss
Be not burdened with time of sorrow
Acknowledgements
The Family is profoundly grateful for each and every
expression of love and concern. We have been comforted
by your visits, cards, flowers, phone calls and prayers.
Your thoughtfulness is deeply appreciated and will be cherished.
Home Going Celebration
For
Willie Edward Powell, Jr.
Special appreciation to his Home Health Care Aids, and Eastern
North Carolina Medical Center
The Family
Repast
Please join the family immediately following the interment at
Edgecombe County Business Incubator—110 Fountain Park
Drive, Battleboro, NC
Vision
Service Entrusted To:
H.D. Pope Funeral Service
325 Nash Street
Rocky Mount, North Carolina 27804
I wish you the sunshine of tomorrow
My life’s been full, I savored much
Good friends, good times, a loved one’s touch
Perhaps my time seemed all to brief
Don’t lengthen it now with undue grief
L:ift up your hearts and peace to thee
God wanted me now; He set me free!
Floral Bearers are family members and OIC team
members.
Pall Bearers are members of The Ebony Racquet
Club.
Directions to:
Edgecombe County Industrial Incubator
Family and Friends welcome
Start: 3020 N. Raleigh St. Rocky Mount, NC 27801
1. Head west on US-64 ALT W/N Raleigh St toward Medlin Dr.
2. Turn right onto Springfield Rd
3. Continue onto Old Battleboro Rd
4. Turn left onto Fountain School Rd
5. Take the 3rd right onto College Rd
6. Take the 1st left onto Fountain Par
Destination: 10 Fountain Par k Dr ive, Battleboro, NC 27809
Saturday, September 13, 2014
11 A.M.
Opportunities Industrialization Center, Inc.
402 E. Virginia Street
Rocky Mount, North Carolina
Order of Service
Obituary
Processional
Presiding…………………………………………….Rev. Reuben C. Blackwell IV
President & CEO, Rocky Mount OIC
Peacefully and quietly on September 6, 2014 at his home, God in his infinite wisdom
gently took Willie Edward Powell, Jr. home .
Willie E. Powell, Jr. (June Bug and June Powell as he was called by many) son of the late
Willie E Powell, Sr. and Mary Lena Bulluck, was born February 28, 1933 in Edgecombe
County.
Mt. Pisgah
Church Choir
Scripture Readings
Old Testament………………………………………………..Rev. Florence Pender
Pastor, St. John A.M.E. Church
Rocky Mount, NC
New Testament…………………………………………………Rev. Richard Joyner
Pastor, Conetoe Chapel Baptist Church
Conetoe, NC
Service
Prayer…………………………………………………..................Rev. Wayne Hines
Pastor, Bethlehem Baptist Church
Tarboro, NC
Selection……………………………………….………………….Ms. Wanda Barnes
Acknowledgements/Obituary…………………………………….Ms. Martha Stith
Expressions of Love and Comfort (2 minutes please)…
Rev. Raymond Privott, Pastor, Mt. Pisgah Presbyterian Church
US Representative G.K. Butterfield, 1st Congressional District
Rev. Andre’ Knight, Mayor Pro Tem, City of Rocky Mount
Ms. Genotre Penny Boone, Rocky Mount OIC Board Chair
Mr. Howard Jones, President & CEO, Wilson OIC
Mr. Stanley Green, Special Friend
Rev. George Wiggins, Special Friend
Mr. Billy Battle, Ebony Racquet Club
Mr. Corey Williams, Former OIC Student and Caretaker
Ms. Joyce Dickens, President & CEO, Rocky Mount/Edgecombe CDC
Selection…………………………………………..……………...Ms. Wanda Barnes
Eulogy………………………………………………...…Rev. Thomas L. Walker, Jr.
Pastor, Ebenezer Baptist Church
Selection……………………………………….……….Rev. Thomas L. Walker, Jr.
Funeral Director in Charge
Recessional
Interment
Gardens of Gethsemane
Rocky Mount, North Carolina
He was educated in the following schools: Carver High School, Pinetops, North Carolina; Harris Barber College, Raleigh, North Carolina; OIC of America Management Training Academy, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; General Electric Management Institute, Cantonville, New York.
Love
In 1953, Willie served in the United States Army and was honorably discharged in 1955.
Honor
Willie accepted Christ as his Savior at an early age and joined Mount Pisgah Presbyterian Church where he remained a faithful member until his illness.
He was a member of the founding Board of Directors of the Opportunities Industrialization Center (Known as the Rocky Mount OIC) and retired after 30 years as CEO. He
worked directly with the community’s at risk populations and led programs in training
services, early childhood development, job placement services, summer employment
opportunity for youth, HIV/AIDS Education Program, warehouse and shipping operations with Consolidated Diesel Company (now known as Cummins Rocky Mount Engine
Plant), organized the OIC Annual Labor Day Tennis Tournament, was a member of the
Rocky Mount Rotary Club and was known as a great supporter of the Rocky Mount
community at large.
He received great respect from across the state and the community for his 30 years of
service rendered to his community and Rocky Mount OIC. He received many awards,
plaques, trophies and honors for his leadership and vision.
He was united in holy matrimony to Bessie Brown who preceded him in death in 1998.
He leaves to cherish his loving memories: his devoted son, Vincent Powell of Rocky
Mount, NC; a loving devoted friend Merland Wright of the home; one sister Irene Powell; one brother Milton Powell; one adopted son Quentin Wright (Helen) of Atlanta, GA;
one grandson Javon Powell (Mother Joanna) of Bethel, NC; one adopted grandson Savior Na-hun Wright of Atlanta, GA; one brother-in-law James Benjamin Whitehead
(Valarie) of Largo, MD; one niece Phyllis Tillery of Rocky Mount, NC; three nephews
Milton Powell, Jr. (Marla) of Virginia, Brandon and Brian Whitehead of Largo, Maryland; one uncle Zeb Bulluck of Chester, PA; two aunts, Lucille Ricks of Rocky Mount,
NC; and Mary Kate Bulluck of Chester, PA; three special brothers: Stanley Green of
Raleigh, NC, Percy Lucas and the Rev. George Wiggins both of Rocky Mount, NC and a
host of cousins, friends, other relatives, OIC family members and tennis associates.