Charles Lewis Powell

Charles Lewis Powell, 76, of Abbeville, died Friday, May 21, 2010 at the Hospice House in Greenwood. Charles was born June 18, 1933 in Ware Shoals, SC to the late Lewis Richard and Cora Ferguson Powell. He graduated from Abbeville High School where he played football and was a member of Coach Tommy Hite's first baseball team. Mr. Powell coached Pony League baseball while working on the Seaboard Coastline Railroad where he worked as a conductor from 1955 until his retirement in 1994. He served our country in the SC National Guard and was a member of South Main Street Baptist Church and the Richard Carter Sunday School Class. Charles Powell was elected to the South Carolina House of Representatives in 1965 and served until 1972. He was elected again in 1975 and served two more years. In 1985, he was elected to the South Carolina Senate and served there until 1988. Senator Powell devoted considerable time to his responsibilities and has proven to be exceptionally successful in his endeavors. Many of his accomplishments have developed almost completely as a result of his personal efforts, while others have been through close cooperation with others. Senator Powell helped to secure $30 million dollars for the development of parks and other facilities on Lake Russell. He helped to preserve the state's highly effective magistrate system. During his service, he secured necessary grants for water and sewer lines for industrial and residential expansion and worked with other political and community leaders throughout the district in an effort to sponsor long-range development plans. Senator Powell was the leader in the Senate who cleared the way for an $8 million dollar veteran's nursing home in Anderson County. He also helped pave the way for the work that has been done on many of the highways in our area, especially the widening of Highway 72 between Abbeville and Greenwood and because of this a portion of Highway 72 is named in his honor. These are only a few of his many, many accomplishments. Senator Powell credits his parents for teaching him Christian values, honesty, and integrity. He will be remembered as a respected son, brother, uncle, legislator, and statesman. Mr. Powell also received many special honors during his life. He was named by the SC/GA Highway 72 Development Association as the "Man of the Year" in 1987; elected chairman of the SC Senate Freshman Caucus; recipient of the American Legion (Department of South Carolina) Legislative Plaque as the "1988 Most Outstanding State Senator"; honored by Erskine College for his support of the college and higher learning; honored with the annual Leadership Award by the Old 96 Tourism Commission in ceremonies held May 5, 1988; and most recently, the new Abbeville High School Baseball field was named the Charles Powell Baseball Park in his honor. Surviving Mr. Powell is his sister, Wilma Powell Canfield of Abbeville; seven nieces and nephews L. Dwayne "Bubba" Canfield of Abbeville, Richard "Rick" Canfield and his wife Debbie of Abbeville, Valerie D. Ashley of Ware Shoals, Danette New and her husband Kenny of Hartsville, Jay Copelan and his wife Kelly of Iva, Demarice Hanes and her husband John of Cornelia, GA and Cathy Vonier and her husband Wendell of Cornelia, GA; numerous great nieces, nephews, and great-great nieces and nephews; his devoted friends, Jack Mitchell and Joan Herin of Greenwood, SC. In addition to his parents, Charles was preceded in death by a sister, Racheal Powell Copelan. The family will receive friends from 6:00PM to 8:00PM on Sunday, May 23, 2010 at Harris Funeral Home. Funeral services will be conducted on Monday, May 24, 2010 at 1:00PM in the funeral home chapel with the Rev. Alan Quigley & the Rev. Richard McWhite officiating. Burial will follow in Forest Lawn Memory Gardens. Those serving as Pallbearers will be Wayne Stevenson, Don Sherard, Scott White, Mark Smith, Mason Speer, Nick Lomax, Leomont Evans and Jack Mitchell. Honorary Pallbearers will be the Abbeville High School Baseball Team, the Steering Committee for the Charles Powell Baseball Park, the Dr. Richard Carter Sunday School Class, and his devoted caregivers. Memorial contributions, in memory of Charles Powell, may be made to the Abbeville Panther Booster Club, PO Box 1214, Abbeville, SC 29620 ; HospiceCare of the Piedmont, 408 W. Alexander Ave., Greenwood, SC 29649; or to South Main Street Baptist Church, 1000 South Main Street, Greenwood, SC 29646. A message of condolence may be sent to the family by visiting www.harrisfuneral.com HARRIS FUNERAL HOME & CREMATION SERVICES of Abbeville is assisting the Powell family.