Jimmy Wade "Pete" Powell

Funeral Services will be held 2:00PM Friday 1/12/24 at Walthall Baptist Church with burial at Walthall Memorial Cemetery in Walthall, MS. The Graveside/Committal Services will be held at Walthall Baptist Church instead of Walthall Memorial Cemetery. Visitation will be 12Noon until 2:00PM Friday 1/12/24 at Walthall Baptist Church. Jimmy Wade “Pete” Powell was born on February 14, 1946, and entered heaven on January 9, 2024. Pete Powell loved his family. He loved his buddies: the ones he ran barefoot with as a boy through the hollows and creeks of Stewart, Mississippi; the ones he played many hours of golf with in his young adult years, and those he met professionally that turned into legends! He loved freshly mowed grass, regular oil changes, Judy’s “soup potatoes” and cornbread, the “old place” at Stewart, and was always up for a game of throw-the-ball-in-the-basket with the grandkids. (We all knew this never ended on a miss!) He disliked a messy vehicle, ruts in the lane, and the mere thought of the grandkids not having any money, or for them to be hungry- heaven forbid! He could fix them up with a little “pocket change,” his signature grilled cheese, a fried hamburger, a trip to Sonic, or a four wheeler ride to the store for hot corn nuggets. Pete graduated from Eupora High School in 1964 where he was known on the football field for his strong hands and lightning speed. He never lost his strong hands; he tossed the football with the kids two short weeks ago and boasted he could throw that “thang” all the way to Kilmichael!!! After graduating from high school, Pete earned a Bachelor’s degree in Industrial Arts from Mississippi State University. That same year, he married his high school sweetheart, Judy Tabb; she was by his side as he was drafted into the United States Army. Pete completed basic training and infantry school at Fort Polk, Louisiana. After receiving orders to Vietnam, Pete was selected from 150 infantry trained soldiers to become an ASLAY specialist to operate Pershing nuclear missiles on the Czechoslovakian border, a highly strategic mission for the United States Army. Pete received a Pershing Missile Tab to be worn on his combat uniform, identifying his special skill. He completed that mission with his young bride in Germany. Pete and Judy were told while there, you will leave with a baby or a cuckoo clock… they came home with both! Pete was awarded the National Defense Service Medal and Good Conduct Medal and was honorably discharged on January 16, 1972 at Fort Dix, New Jersey. Pete furthered his education in Columbus, Georgia, earning a Master’s Degree in School Administration from the University of Georgia. Then he returned home to Webster County, where he was principal of Eupora High School for seven years. Pete later became the Superintendent of Education for the Webster County School District and served for 16 years. And to this day… in education circles, the name Pete Powell is known! While his family is proud of all he accomplished in his professional career and throughout his life, that is not what defines him… he simply had a heart of gold! Pete structured his life around taking care of his family, and that is felt to this day. Pete was preceded in death by his parents, Theo and Irma Powell, his son Chad Powell, and infant daughter Julia Powell. He is survived by his loving wife of nearly 55 years, Judy Tabb Powell and their children: Chip (Toni Carole) Powell, Mantee, MS and Beau (Kelly) Powell, Walthall, MS, and his beloved grandchildren: Mason Powell, Belle Powell, Tabb Powell, Mary Kesler Powell, and Brooks Powell. Also surviving him are his sisters Dot Powell, Weir, MS and Doris Ann Vaughan, Stewart, MS, his nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews who loved Uncle Pete and will miss him greatly. He will also be missed by his church family at Walthall Baptist Church, where he served as a deacon for many years. The family would like to thank the staff of the Veterans Home in Kosciusko. Over the last seven months of Pete’s life, they cared for him with compassion and respect. A humble “thank you” to Pete’s great-niece Megan Hill, who works in the pharmacy at the Veterans Home for her daily attention to absolutely anything Pete wanted. Megan says, “He was known as Mr. Powell for two days there… before becoming everyone’s Uncle Pete!” Funeral Services were held 2:00PM Friday January 12th. 2024 at Walthall Baptist Church with burial in Walthall Memorial Cemetery. Rev. Hugh Bland, Rev. Riley Brown and Dr. Myrtis Tabb officiated, with music provided by Cherrie Winter, Bill Stewart and recorded piano selections by Joyce Tabb Bright James, Pete's sister-in-law who preceded him in death.