Roscoe Clifford Powell

Roscoe Clifford Powell, 83, of Rocky Mount, went to his heavenly home on Friday, March 7, 2014. He was born in Franklin County on October 9, 1930. He was preceded in death by his parents, George Wilson Powell and Julia Robertson Powell, his stepmother Nellie Harrison Powell, his uncle Carl Powell and aunt Bessie Powell (his second mom), his uncle Clyde Powell and aunt Eva Powell, his sister Joyce Powell McCall and brother-in-law Kenneth "Red" McCall, his sister Barbara Powell Taylor and his niece Kay McCall Johnson. He is survived by his loving wife of 52 years, Valeria Powell, his daughter Sarah Powell-Christian (Jacob) and his daughter Melissa Powell Werger (Kenneth). He is survived by two grandsons he adored, Jonathan M. Werger and Nicholas R. Werger ( who loved him back just as much), and by step-grandchildren Neil Christian and Nisha Christian. He is also survived by his sister Sonya Powell Barrow, his nephew Kenneth McCall and his nieces Mary Powell Lockhart and Amanda Taylor Odell. In addition, he is survived by several special and beloved cousins: Elbert Powell (Jean), Geneva Mason, Gloria Young (Marvin), Norman Powell (Linda), and Dean Powell (Cecelia).

Roscoe served in the United States Navy for four years during the Korean War. He held posts with the American Legion as post commander, district commander, state commander and post adjutant. He also served as a member of the American Legion baseball league. He served as American Red Cross Blood Mobile Chairman and received a 10-gallon award for giving blood. He served on the Draft Board and was a member of Rocky Mount Town Council for 18 years. He was a member of the Franklin County Rescue Squad board of directors and was on the Board of Trustees for the Sheltered Workshop. He also served on the Chamber of Commerce and the Piedmont Planning Commission and was active in Democratic politics for many years. He was a member of Pleasant Hill United Methodist Church of Rocky Mount, where he was superintendent of Sunday schools and served on the administrative board. In addition, he was a layperson for the United Methodist Church and a member of the Gideons. He was employed at Bald Knob Manufacturing Company for 18 years, Lane Company for 7 years and Martin Processing for 8 years.

Roscoe was an outgoing and caring husband, father and grandfather. He loved the Lord, his family, his country and the Boston Red Sox. He could be generous to a fault. He always stood up for what he believed in and spoke his mind, no matter the consequences. Roscoe never met a stranger and always loved to laugh. He enjoyed coin collecting, golfing and playing with his grandsons.

The family would like to thank the nurses and doctors at Franklin Health and Rehabilitation Center and Roanoke Memorial Hospital who treated Roscoe with loving care and respect. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be sent to Pleasant Hill United Methodist Church, c/o Angie Weddle 2300 McNeil Mill Rd., Rocky Mount, VA 24151. Funeral services will be conducted at Pleasant Hill United Methodist Church, 2:00 p.m. Tuesday, March 11, 2014 with Rev. Liz Lazenby officiating. Interment will follow in the church cemetery. His family will receive friends 6-8 p.m. Monday at Flora Funeral Service and Cremation Center, Rocky Mount.