India Clary Powell

India Clary Powell, 98, of Atlanta, beloved wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother passed away Monday, May 22, 2017. Born May 22, 1919, in Odum, Georgia, she was the daughter of the late James Nathaniel and Winnie Martin Clary.

Mrs. Powell was a graduate of Wayne County High School and Wesleyan College in Macon. In 1947, she married William Alexander Powell of Decatur. For more than 70 years Mrs. Powell was a devoted member of Decatur First United Methodist Church where she met her loving husband, Bill. They centered their life together on faith, family, friends and community.

A lifelong teacher and servant to others, Mrs. Powell was known for her giving spirit, good nature, and compassionate heart. She taught school in DeKalb County and later worked for Shell Oil Company in the 1940s. During the years 1961-1975, she taught kindergarten at Glenn Memorial Methodist Church and, from 1975-1991, served as chief administrator at The Gatchell Home. Following her retirement, she enjoyed volunteering at her church and other organizations in Decatur, spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and playing bridge.

She is survived by her daughter, Brenda Powell Klein, and her husband, Jimmy, of Athens; two sons: William Alexander Powell Jr. of Jonesboro, and James Clary Powell, and his wife, Odette, of Atlanta; daughter-in-law, Ann Laughlin Powell, of Orlando; her eight grandchildren: Catherine Klein Denham and her husband, David, James Robert Klein Jr., William Alexander Powell III and his wife, Natalia, Joan Powell Parrott and her husband, Jason, Cari Powell Cappabianca and her husband, Eric, Adam Benedict Powell, Alexander James Powell, and Martin James Powell; her four great-grandchildren: Ellie Denham, Lucy Quinn Denham, Adelyn Parrott, and Ethan Powell; and many more loving family members and friends.

Mrs. Powell was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, and her brothers, James Dekle Clary and Samuel Spencer Clary.

The family will receive friends from 5-7 p.m. Friday, May 26, at A.S. Turner & Sons Funeral Home. A Memorial Service will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, May 27, 2017, in the sanctuary of Decatur First United Methodist Church, Decatur, with Rev. Diana Roberts and Rev. Dr. Greg Smith officiating. A private burial will be held at Fairview Memorial Gardens, Stockbridge, GA.

Memorials in Mrs. Powell’s name may be made to Decatur First United Methodist Church, 300 E. Ponce de Leon Ave, Decatur, GA 30030.

Feel free to leave the family your condolences via the guestbook provided.