Dr. Lula C. Powell departed this life on April 22, 2025, peacefully in her sleep in her home of 62 years. She had always advocated for higher education and had a lifelong passion for knowledge and learning. Dr. Powell graduated from W.J. Hale High School in Maryville, TN, in 1948. She then matriculated to Knoxville College and received a Bachelor of Arts in 1952. She completed her academic career at the University of Tennessee, earning three degrees: a Master of Science in Elementary Education in 1963, an Education Specialist in Administration and Supervision in 1980, and her Doctorate of Education in 1987.

Dr. Powell joined the Knoxville city school system as an educator in 1959. She was a traveling librarian from 1966 to 1974. She proudly accepted the role as the first female principal of Green Elementary School in 1975. Under her guidance, the administration strived to embody their school motto, “All Green School children will learn.” In 1993, Green Elementary was renamed Green Magnet Math and Science Academy—this achievement represented the pinnacle of her principalship. Dr. Powell retired in 2001 and then joined the Knoxville business community. In 2009, she assumed the role of owner and board chairman of Unity Mortuary after the death of her husband.

Dr. Powell’s dedication to her community includes numerous activities. She was a member of the Knoxville College Alumni Club, Tennessee Association for Supervision and Curriculum, NAACP, National Council for Negro Women, and the YWCA. She held lifetime memberships in Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., Knox County RTA, TEA, and NEA. She was affiliated with the Beck Cultural Center, East Tennessee Foundation Youth Advisory Committee, Green PTA Board, Knoxville PTA Board, and TVA Weekend Academy. She was a generous donor to the Carrie-Steele Pitts Home, Inc. Dr. Powell was a long-time Rogers Memorial Baptist Church member and the church clerk emeritus.

Her philanthropy and altruism garnered Dr. Powell numerous awards and honors. The Handicapped Association acknowledged her as the Recognized Friend of the Challenged. She received the Delta Sigma Theta award for Dedication and Commitment. The Daily Times Newspaper wrote an article about Dr. Powell’s community service, and she was inducted into the Alumni Wall of Fame for Blount County in 1997.

Other accolades include the Community Service Award by Trinity Seventh Day Adventist Church (1989), BEST award (1990), Leadership Knoxville (1991), East Tennessee Fair Housing/Equal Opportunity Education Award (1993), and the Community Service Award by College Hill Seventh Day Adventist Church (1999). In 2001, she received the Elementary School Principal of the Year award from Phi Delta Kappa and the Educator Award from Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. Dr. Powell was honored by the Iota Phi Lambda Sorority, Inc. – Alpha Xi Chapter as an Outstanding Woman of the Year for three consecutive years (2011-2013). Dr. Powell was interviewed in 2017 by Hallerin Hilton Hall for his television talk show, “Anything Is Possible,” which spotlights the lives of inspiring people in Knoxville.

Dr. Powell is preceded in death by her parents, Leonard L. Cooper and Mae Bertha Cooper, siblings; Viola Cooper, Priscilla Cooper and Aquilla Cooper, and loving husband of 58 years, William V. Powell, Jr. Dr. Powell leaves to honor her memory: her doting son, Alwyn Powell, Atlanta, GA; devoted granddaughters, Thandi (Benjie) Nunn, Atlanta, GA; Sibongile (David) Queen, Peachtree City, GA; and Lorato (Travis) Lester, Nashville, TN; 9 great-grandchildren; Avery, Ava, Elijah, Jordan, Phoenix, Roland, Oliver, Lincoln, and Justus; adopted son, George Tolbert, Knoxville, TN, who selflessly provided limitless hours of care giving during her later years; sister Esther Gaines, Maryville, TN; Sharon Powell, sister-in-law, New Carrollton, MD; many relatives and cherished friends; Irma Vaughn, Gertha Brice, Georgia Shingles, Josephine Guthrie, Cassandra Spann, Vernell Gray, and the Paul McKinzie family; and former faculty and students of Green Magnet Math and Science Academy and members of the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., Iota Phi Lambda Sorority, Inc., and The Alliance of Doctoral Women.

The family visiting hours are 3 to 4 p.m. on Monday, April 28, 2025, at Rogers Memorial Baptist Church, with a Homegoing Celebration at 4 p.m. and a repast to follow at the Beck Cultural Exchange Center. Rev. A.D. Baxter, officiating minister, Rev. Renee Kesler, eulogist. Unity Mortuary is in charge of the arrangements. In lieu of flowers, may we suggest contributions to the Beck Cultural Exchange Center, Knoxville, TN, or to the Carrie Steele-Pitts Home, Atlanta, GA, in memory of Dr. Lula C. Powell.

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