Major Oliver Curtis Powell

Major Oliver Curtis Powell, 86 of Rocky Mount passed away August 22, 2023 at home. Curtis was born in Edgecombe County on February 15, 1937 to Oliver Pervis and Carrie Andrews Powell.  He was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, and great grandfather. He loved his family and his West Edgecombe community. He loved telling stories and had a wonderful smile for everyone.

After graduation from West Edgecombe High School he entered the Air Force. He served as an Air Traffic Controller until Officer Candidate School. He then served with communications with the Atlas Missile Silo System and then with communications with Strategic Air Command. While stationed at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, he joined the Military Amateur Radio Society (MARS).  He was instrumental in forming an amateur radio club in Goldsboro, Rocky Mount and Wilson.

After retirement Curtis moved back to Rocky Mount and earned several Associate Degrees, and a BA in Business and a BS in Accounting from NC Wesleyan.  He became certified as an EMT and Paramedic and worked as a volunteer. He was a beekeeper. As such he was a member and officer of the Coastal Plain Beekeepers Association. He continued the family’s 100 year tradition of growing sorghum and making molasses which he gave away. He raised and sold truck crop which included corn, sweet potatoes, peas and flowers. These were sold within the community and to several grocery stores.

Curtis is preceded in death by both his parents, brothers Noah Andrews Roberson and William Henry Roberson, sister Eva Louise Reed, and son Kevin Skott Powell.  He is survived by his wife of 33 years, Frances Farrall Powell, children Susanna Karol Warner, Kenneth Kurtis Powell (Kim), Sindy Marie Taylor and stepson Jeffrey Alan Bunch.

The family would like to thank his caretaker Annette Robins and the Hospice and Palliative Care of Nash UNC for the wonderful and loving care he received.

The family will receive friends and family at Carlisle Funeral Home in Tarboro Saturday, August 26, 2023 from 1pm until 2 pm, with a funeral service being held in the Chapel of Carlisle at 2pm.. The interment will follow the service at the Powell Family Cemetery, Powell Road, Rocky Mount.

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