Sumter Powell, 54, passed away on Oct. 15, 2013. He was born to Lula & Sumter Powell Sr. on March 6, 1959 at St. Joseph's hospital in Atlanta. He was known to many in his childhood as "Dinkie", and as an adult working with his father he became known as "JR". His early childhood was spent in Marietta, then in '65 the family moved to Sandy Springs where Sumter attended Guy Webb Elementary and was very active in Boy Scout Troop 756. At Ridgeview HS, '77, he played football and excelled at wrestling, ultimately placing 2nd in the state championship. He went on to join the ROTC at North Georgia College. In 1984 he married Cheryl Sisson of Blue Ridge and spent the majority of the following 25+ years raising his family in Dahlonega and working as a master electrician and HVAC contractor in metro-Atlanta. Due to medical reasons he moved to Lilburn two years ago.
Sumter was a kind and gentle soul of simple needs. He had a deep love for his country and a profound respect and admiration for those who served to honor and protect it. He never met a stranger, was always willing to help when able, and had an impressive breadth of knowledge. He could meet someone from any corner of the world and talk knowledgeably with them about their culture, politics, religion or history. He enjoyed and was most comfortable dealing with nature, gardening, animals and computers.
Sumter was well known for his sense of humor, corny jokes and puns. He took particular delight bantering with children as well as sharing with them his love of nature and history. In the last couple of years his health was increasingly compromised, but it never diminished his attitude and he continued to find humor in even the smallest of things. One of those things being the frequent misspelling of his name, which happened often!
Sumter was predeceased by his parents. Survivors include his beloved children Jessica (Jarad) Conner of Dahlonega, Rebecca Powell of Dawsonville, Cory Powell of Dahlonega, and Emily Powell of Blue Ridge; grandchildren Devyn and Jayce Ward of Dawsonville; devoted siblings Laura Powell formerly of Sandy Springs, Sarah & Bobby Johnson of Snellville and their children Michael, Elysia and Lilah; several extended family members and special friends.
A memorial service to celebrate Sumter's life will be held at 5:00 on Monday Oct. 21st at Roswell River Landing, 245 Azalea Drive, Roswell, GA. Food, drink and fellowship to follow at 6:00. The family will receive visitors 4:00 - 4:45. Cremains to be handled privately at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Air Warrior Courage Foundation www.AirWarriorCourage.org or 2nd Chance Shelter for dogs, www.SecondChanceShelter.net
Arrangements by Tim Stewart Funeral Home, 2246 Wisteria Drive, Snellville, GA 30078. 770-979-5010 www.stewartfh.com
