Rev. Dr. Kenneth Roland Powell

Rev. Dr. Kenneth Roland Powell, SKCS, US Navy (Retired) age 81 of Rt. 3, Box 178 Bluefield, WV (Bluewell) died on Monday, April 27, 2009 at Princeton Community Hospital. Born on December 24, 1927 in Freeman, WV, he was the son of the late Kasper R. and Alma M. Conner Powell. He was a resident of Bluewell since 1984 and was the former pastor of the First Baptist Church of Bluewell having retired from the pastorate in 1991. He served as interim and supply pastor for many churches in the area. During his ministry he pastured church in Virginia, North Carolina, and West Virginia. He was a graduate of Bramwell High School class of 1945. He graduated from Tabernacle Baptist College and earned his Masters and Doctor’s degree from the International Seminary in Florida. He served in the US Navy during WWII, Korean War, the Cuban Crisis, and the Vietnam War. He retired from the Navy after 22 years of service as a Senior Chief Petty Officer. While stationed with the Navy Overseas Air Cargo Terminal in Naples, Italy, he served as Customs Officer, Allied Forces in Southern Europe. Kenneth and his family toured most of the countries of Europe while stationed in Italy. During his service career, he served eight years with the Navy Seabee’s, four years aboard a net-laying tender and an aircraft carrier, two years recruiting service, four years overseas shore duty and the rest on stateside shore duty. He was awarded twelve service medals and ribbons, including the navy Commendation Medal with the Combat “V”, the Combat Action Ribbon, Vietnam Medal with the palm leaf and the Antarctic Service Medal to name a few. After retiring from the Navy, he was employed by the Navy Department as a Computer Specialist and retired in 1984 with 35 years of Federal Service. After the passing of his father, he and his wife returned to Bluewell in 1984 to care for his mother. He was the former pastor of the Dry Fork Baptist Church, Rocky Gap, VA and the First Baptist Church of Bluewell, WV. He and his wife had toured all forty-eight lower states and D.C. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by three sons, Kenneth Roland, Jr., William Edward and Donald Keith Powell; one daughter, Gloria Jean Powell Stroub; and two sisters, Glenna Powell Padron and Ruth Harper. Survivors include his wife of 62 years, Gladys Lavone Cox Powell of the home; son, Ronald Kent Powell of Bluewell; sisters: Sylvia Sheffield of Fairmont, WV, and Margaret Perkins of Fayetteville, NC; 8 grandchildren, 8 great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews Funeral services will be held on Thursday, April 30, 2009 at 11:00 AM at the First Baptist Church of Bluewell where he was a former pastor. Rev. James Milam and Rev. Emory Marchant will officiate. Burial will follow at Woodlawn Memorial Park where the West Virginia Honor Guard and the Mercer County Veterans Council will perform military graveside honors. Friends may call on Wednesday evening from 6-8 PM at the Cravens-Shires Funeral Home in Bluewell and at the church one hour prior to the service.