AHOSKIE – Eugene Powell, age 76, of the 1400 block of US 13 South, Ahoskie, died Sunday, March 6, 2011, at the Veteran’s Affairs Medical Center of Hampton, VA.

Mr. Powell was born in Union Town, Pennsylvania, on March 12, 1934, a son of the late Buford and Sarah Taper Powell.

Eugene, affectionately known as “Bizz” to family and friends, was a graduate of German Township High School and received his Associate’s Degree in Business Administration at Roanoke Chowan Community College, where he later served as Veteran Service Officer. He was a 20-year veteran in the United States Air Force.  “Bizz” served as manager of Wholesale Building Supply and was top salesman at Heilig-Meyers Furniture Company in Ahoskie.

Mr. Powell was an active member of Pleasant Plains Baptist Church where he served as deacon, usher, choir member and choir guild, and was the Church’s Santa Claus.  He was also very active in several civic and community organizations, including the Masons, the Elks, and Mid East Commission.  He served on the Ahoskie Town Council, and starred in many theatrical productions at the Gallery Theater.  When his children were in school, Eugene was PTA president, a band booster parent, and served as a substitute teacher.

Left to cherish his memory is his loving wife, Elsie Jean Hall Powell; a daughter, Nikki N. Brooks of Springfield, VA; a son, Gregory E. Powell of Fairfax, VA; a granddaughter, Kirstin B. Brooks; two sisters, Naomi Palmer and Grace Kirk, both of Washington, DC; and two brothers, Albert Powell and Michael Powell, also of Washington, DC.  Also surviving is a son, Hugh M. Powell of California, and daughters, Helen P. Leith and Grace Powell of Scotland.

A celebration of life service will be conducted at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, March 12, 2011, at Pleasant Plains Baptist Church with the Rev. Robert Ashe and Chaplain Nathaniel Milton officiating.  Burial will follow in the church cemetery.

The family will receive friends at Garrett-Jones Funeral Home, Ahoskie, from 7:00 until 8:30 p.m. on Friday, March 11, and other times at the home.  Flowers are welcome or memorial donations may be made to the Eastern NC Alzheimer’s Association, 3737 Glenwood Ave., Suite 100, Raleigh, NC, 27612.

Family and friends may send condolences and sign the online guestbook by visiting www.garrettjonesfh.com.

Garrett-Jones Funeral home is serving the Powell family.