On May 22, 1938, God blessed the late Lacy Powell and the late Gecholia Cherry Powell with a son, Joseph Lewis Powell. Joe attended Hallsboro Elementary School, where he was the life of the classroom. Joe graduated from Artesia High School in 1956. He was popular, cheerful, and jolly with his classmates and teachers. He always had a smile on his face. He played ball with the Artesia Panthers and dominated basketball in high school. Joe, along with his teammates, won several tournaments, and they have the trophies to show for their many victories. Joe served as a Worshipful Master at the Prince Masonic Lodge in Newark, NJ. Joe was the founder and captain of the Newark Dodgers. They traveled to different states to play against other teams. Very friendly competitors, however, they loved to win! And much like his grandfather Charlie Cherry, Sr., an entrepreneur, Joe opened a men’s hat store in Newark, NJ, and a men’s clothing store in Summit, NJ. On February 25, 1960, Joe was joined in holy matrimony to Ethel Bell (Bunch) Smith, and to this union, 5 children were born. The Powell family were faithful members of 2nd Baptist Church in Rahway, NJ for over 25 years. At 2nd Baptist, Joe was the founder of the Male Chorus Quartet. There, he was also ordained as a deacon. Joe loved to cook, and he loved even more, to eat. Got a real kick out of feeding the family and everybody telling him how delicious everything tasted. His real passion was playing golf, and trying his best to beat Roger, Decatur, Thurman and Lee! Joe worked 30 years for Wakefern Inc. in Elizabeth, NJ. After retiring, Joe and Ethel relocated to Longs, SC, where they joined Mt. Calvary #2, and Joe served faithfully in various roles, including a member of the deacon board, as well as a member of the Male Chorus and the Senior Choir. Always wanting to learn and grow spiritually, Joe attended Montclair College in Montclair NJ to pursue a degree in Theology. Joe loved his family, and he leaves to cherish his precious memories, one (1) daughter, Sharon Mohammed, three (3) sons, Michael, Donnell (Toni), and Gary (Debra), two (2) sons preceded him in death, Bernard and Andre’, three (3) sisters, Swannie P Wright, Arlene P Waterman and Dale (Buzz) Hargrove, eight (8) sisters-in-law – Mavis C Powell, Ruby Powell, Esther S Morse, Arvella M Smith, Shirley T Smith, Helen D Smith, Clara V. Smith, and Evelyn S Booker, four brothers-in-law, Roy L Smith, Lee W Booker, Ervin Smith, and Jerome Smith, eight (8) grandchildren...Andrea, Aanisah, Isaiah, Xavier, Mia, Marissa, Garrett (Sarah), and Nicole , two (2) great grandchildren…Garrett Jr and Donte’, and a host of cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends.

The Viewing will be held Saturday, Aug. 13, 2022 2-6PM at Latimer's Funeral Home.

The Funeral will be held Sunday, Aug. 14, 2022 1Pm at Mt Calvary #2 MBC Hwy 111 Little River, SC.

The family is not receiving friends at the home due to COVID.The family appreciates your understanding during these uncertain times.