Jesse Fenton Powell passed away on February 10, 2024.
Mr. Powell was born on May 21,
1927, in the Farmdale Community in Screven County to the late Ethel Mae Avret and Ray Kirby
Powell, Sr . He worked as a mail carrier for the U.S. Postal Service for over 30 years. He was a
member of the Sylvania First Baptist Church and the Mack Thompson Sunday School Class and
was the last living Charter Member of the Briar Creek Country Club, as well as a former member
of the Sylvania Lions Club and Masonic Lodge #301. He coached football for many years at the
Sylvania Recreation Department and enjoyed seeing and talking to many of his former players
throughout his life. He proudly served his country in the United States Coast Guard in World
War II.
Fent married Betty Pauline Hunnicutt in June of 1951 and together they made a loving home for
their two children, Pat and Joseph.
Fent enjoyed spending time at Lands End, working on the farm, and playing golf. He shared his
love of the water with his children and grandchildren at Lands End where he and Betty enjoyed
cooking fish, shrimp and crab for family and friends. Fent also made sure he kept shrimp in his
children’s freezers year around. He looked forward to playing golf every afternoon at Briar
Creek, which he did until the age of 84, and loved the sport that challenged him daily and
provided him with great memories with friends. Mr. Powell was a devoted husband, father,
grandfather and great-grandfather who loved his family deeply.
He was predeceased by his parents and siblings, Kirby Powell of Sylvania and Derward Powell
of Rome, as well as Lucy Jane Powell, who passed away as an infant.
Survivors include his wife of 72 years, Betty Hunnicutt Powell and his two children, Pat Powell
Gibson (Ralph) and Joseph Fenton Powell (Kim); siblings, Sue McLeod of Chattanooga, TN and
Charlie Powell (Sara) of Social Circle; grandchildren, Truie Gibson of Aiken, SC and Will Gibson
(Katelyn) of Evans, Caleb Powell (Becky) of St. Simons Island and Zane Powell (Miah) of
Sylvania; great-grandchildren, Paxton and Addie Powell and Madison and Conner Powell; and
several nieces and nephews.
The family would like to thank Kathy Godbee, Latrelle Jenkins and the caregivers at Gentilly
Gardens Senior Living and Regency Hospice Southern Care, who selflessly took care of Fent
and continue to care for Betty.
Visitation will be held at the First Baptist Church Family Life Center in Sylvania from 10:00 AM to
11:00 AM on Tuesday, February 13, 2024. Services will be held immediately after in The First Baptist
Church of Sylvania Sanctuary with Dr. Charlie Cooper officiating and music provided by Roslyn
Matheson and Tom Campbell.
Interment with military honors will follow in the Screven County Memorial Cemetery.
Pallbearers will be his grandsons, Will Gibson, Caleb Powell and Zane Powell and his nephews,
Jim Powell, Ray Powell and Jeffery Powell.
Honorary pallbearers will be The Mack Thompson Sunday School Class, Tom and Linda Avret,
Yvonne Barber, Sherry and Brian Bohannon, Jay Brinson, Jewel Dabbs, Kathy Godbee, Larry
and Linda Gordon, Margaret Ann Hunter, Roslyn Matheson, Betty Sue Parker, and Goldie
Toole.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in the name of Mr. Powell to the Sylvania
First Baptist Church, PO Box 318, Sylvania, GA 30467 or to Regency Hospice Southern Care, 7
Allen Cail Drive, Statesboro, GA 30458.
You may sign the online register book at www.joineranderson.com
Joiner Anderson Funeral Home Screven Chapel is in charge of all arrangements.
