| Graduation Year | Class of 1961 |
| Date of Passing | Jul 01, 2018 |
| About | Born to Bendell and Irene Powell on June 9, 1943 in Oklahoma City, OK, Benny stepped into Heaven at 11:23 AM on July 1, 2018. Benny has said and would say again, "I lived my life by the grace of God." When the family moved to Midwest City in 1955, Benny and sister Twyla lives revolved around the church family at Sooner Baptist Church and their school activities and friends. The family cabin in Arkansas was summer's bit of heaven-on-earth for the Powell Clan and the River Mt. Road Family. Benny married Cecelia Jane ("C.J.") Powell on June 6, 1969. Family life and ministry began for these two best friends. Jeff, "B.J." and "Kip" would complete their hearts. “Home” would be in Oklahoma, Texas, Missouri, and Montana as "Bro Benny" would pastor church fellowships. The family even lived "on campus" while “Chaplin Powell” served the staff and men of Jester III Unit, a TDC facility in Sugarland, Texas. Benny was a son, brother, uncle, husband, father, papaw & friend. Above all, Benny was a child of the King having trusted Christ as a young boy. God gave him a love for His Word. You can hear him say, "Just read The Word." With Paul, hear God say, "My brothers, I want you to know what happens to a Christian when he dies so that when it happens, you not be full of sorrow as those without hope....so that you may be comforted by these words." I Thess. 4:13-18 2 Corinthians 5:7 says "For we walk by faith not by sight". Benny now walks and runs by sight. The following family members remain yet walking by faith: "C.J." Powell, wife, Newalla, Oklahoma; Son and daughter-in-law, Jeff and Eddye Powell of West Columbia, TX; Son, "B.J." and daughter-in-law Alisa Powell of Choctaw, OK; Daughter, "Kip" and son-in-law Darrell McElwee; Sister, Twyla Sue and brother-in-law Allen Harkey of Midwest City, OK; Brother and sister-in-law, Jim and Anne Willis of Lexington, KY; Grandchildren, Megan Nicole Powell and Jared Michael Powell of Lake Jackson, TX, Zachary Scott Vernon, Kynadee Faith Powell, Corbin Ray Powell of Choctaw, OK, Haleigh Rae Scott, Colton McElwee, Matthew McElwee of Newalla, OK, Chris McElwee, Oklahoma City, OK; Great Grandson, Caden Stephen Hearn of Lake Jackson, OK; Nieces, Jenni Walker and Jill Bauman of Norman, OK; Nephews, Joel Harkey and Alex Harkey of Midwest City, OK; and treasured cousins in Oklahoma and Arkansas. A special gratitude to the ER Team at South Heart Hospital, for their expertise and compassion. Our deep appreciation to the physicians and nurses who have become friends at Mercy ICU, Mercy Coletta, Cornerstone Acute Care, Midwest City Home Health and Russell Murray Hospice. |
