Robert Ervin Powell, 74, a long time resident of Chesnee, South Carolina, went into eternal rest
Friday, January 26, 2024 in Spartanburg, South Carolina Born May 10, 1949, he was the son of the late George Washington Powell Sr and Rosa Nell
Powell.

In 1973 he married the late Carolyn Powell from Chesnee, SC, and later remarried to Dorothea
Lane-Powell of Stamford, CT in 2019. He leaves behind four children, Kenneth Powell of
Chesnee, SC, Melinda Lane of Lawrenceville, GA, Belinda Lane-Hinton (Daniel) of China
Grove, NC ; Taneesha Powell of Stratford, CT. Three brothers Jodell Powell, Sr. (Dorothy) and
Willis Powell (Etta) all of CT, Ulysses Powell , Sr (Barbara). of AL; three sisters, Hurlda Andrews
(James), Pollye Stovall, Rosanna Wilson (Sammie) all of CT.; thirteen grandchildren and eight
great-grands. And a host of nephews and nieces.
Robert, known to everyone as Bob, grew up in the Jim Crow era in Camden, Alabama. Bob
knew he wanted to have a different life and lifestyle.
Robert felt, to truly advance you needed to be educated as well. So Robert attended a host of
colleges; Miles College (Bessemer, AL.), University of Bridgeport (Bridgeport, CT.) obtaining an
associates in business administration and a bachelors in civil engineering.

Obtaining an education and loving Christ was important in the Powell home. Just as important to
Robert was being a civil rights activist. While attending Camden Academy, Bob was afforded
the opportunity to meet one of his legends, the honorable Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. It was from
that point on in life he would devote himself to fighting against discrimination and segregation.
If you knew Robert, you heard the stories of fighting for change, running for his life or more
importantly the tragic day of the Edmund Pettus Bridge also known as “Bloody Sunday” on
March 07, 1965.

In 1969 after relocating to Atlantic City, Bob was hired as a short order cook. From there, he
began his lifelong career at Barnes Engineering in Danbury, CT where he retired after 35 years
- becoming the first black Director of engineering, in a predominant Caucasian field during that
time.

Robert loved his classic automobiles, spending hours putting work into them and entering them
into multiple competitions Through all Robert endeavored he kept the faith and never gave up on God. He would constantly mention the story of almost losing his life to partying and asking God to save him and He did just that.
Bob spent most of his adult life on the road - Between Connectut, South Carolina and Alabama
visiting family, friends. He even experienced some international travels, including Japan and Paris. Finally retiring to Chesnee in 2009. Later, Robert loved traveling with his Apostle and
Leadership team of Refuge of Hope Apostolic Church, Incorporated were He served as a Deacon.
Robert is preceded in death by, his three brothers George Washington Powell, Jr., Sebron
Powell and James Powell; and one son Reginald Powell.

Visitation will be held on Wednesday, January 31, 2024 from 1:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. at The John Stinson Woodward Memorial Chapel, 602 Howard St., Spartanburg, SC.