Marian Powell

Marian Deanna Powell was a beloved wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother during her incredible 82 years of life. She passed away peacefully surrounded by family on Wednesday, August 2, 2023 in Birmingham, Alabama after a long battle with Leukemia.

Marian Powell was born in Birmingham on April 4, 1941 to Pearl Glasscock Powell and Wesley Powell. Remaining in the Birmingham area her whole life, Marian would often roam as a young child and considered the various avenues and streets of downtown her second home. After graduation from Glenn High School in 1959, she attended Trevecca Nazarene College where she performed in a traveling singing group. Marian fell in love with her future husband, Wilbur Powell, in April of 1957. The couple were married in July 1960, and welcomed four beautiful children into their family.

Marian was gifted in the ways of speech and creativity and used those gifts to build several successful businesses in her career as an entrepreneur. She was the owner of TV Tempo Magazine and Video Dating Service, co-owner and florist of Mother’s Bouquet, as well as a wedding caterer, and teacher for the Birmingham Adult Education Program. She also made daily appearances on The Country Boy Eddie Show alongside her friend and colleague Happy Hal Burns. Marian was an active member of her community and was involved in many civic organizations, including (but not limited to) the Parent Teacher Organization, Civitans, as well as serving as president for Promotor’s Club, Parkway Business Association, and Alabama Florist Association. She has held several leadership positions throughout her life of service to the Nazarene church, however she has always been led with a special devotion to children’s ministries.

Marian had several passions in life, one of which was spending time in her garden. It was not unusual for her to spend hours at a time digging, pruning, and planting her flower beds and walkways. If she wasn’t working in her garden, chances were she was working at the church for the next bible school or children’s program. Marian was also an adventurer and loved to travel; she channeled this love of exploring into writing and became the successful author of the novel Royal Rose of Alabama: The Gold Crown Pendant Affair. Marian was a friend to all that she met, but especially enjoyed her time in fellowship with her church family and of course drinking coffee with her coffee buddies at the Griddle House. She was an avid lover of games and would look forward to her daily crossword puzzles. She would never waste an opportunity for a group game for any gathering, and participation was typically required. Of all the talents she possessed, her main God given talent was showing love and compassion to others; she was a true vessel of the Lord and let the light and love of Jesus shine through her to every person she met.

Marian is preceded in death by her parents, Pearl and L.E. Reddell, son Marc Alan Powell, sister Fay Bombino and brother Otis Leonard Powell. She is survived by her loving husband of 63 years Wilbur Powell, Sr., children Wilbur “Gene” Powell Jr., Frank Powell (Tammy) and Alicia Powell Cobb (Brian). She is also survived by grandchildren Matthew (Emily), Adrienne (Justin), Anna (Tim), Andee (Blake), Taylor (Joey) and Jacqueline (Michael); great-grandchildren Jace, Jackson, Jude, Burklee, Jonah, Mary Parker, Benjamin and a host of nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Special thanks to the Leukemia staff and lab nurses at UAB Kirklin Clinic and the Women and Infants Center for their treatment and support to Marian and Wilbur during the last four years.