Obituary of Annie Bell Powell

Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints.

Psalm 116:15

     Mother Annie Bell Powell a loving wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, great-great grandmother, great-great-great grandmother, godmother, sister, aunt, wise counselor, and friend to so many ; took her eternal rest at the age of ninety-five surrounded by her loving family in Auburndale Florida.

     Mother Annie Bell Powell was born on May 4, 1928 in Montgomery, Alabama, daughter of the late Mrs. Marie (Rush) Glover and Mr. Promise Glover. She was reared in a Christian home, where she learned to love the Lord at an early age. She accepted the Lord into her life and was baptized. As a young child, Mother Annie Bell was educated through the Montgomery School system until she relocated to New York City.

     Mother Annie Bell’s love for the Lord and people motivated her to continue her studies in New York to become a Certified Nurse’s Aide. Mother Powell’s compassionate spirit whose passion was caring for others led her to work with patients who were in need of assistance to perform their daily basic tasks and routines in various nursing homes. Mother Powell retired from the Jewish Nursing Home with outstanding recognition of her work ethics. She was loved by her patients and the nursing home staff.

     Mother Annie Bell joined the Gethsemane Baptist Church in the Bronx, NY on Sunday, July 5, 1964 under the late pastorate of Reverend Taft Miller. Mother Powell LOVED her Pastor and Church Family. She was an active and caring disciple of Gethsemane who spent most of her life thinking about others. Over 59 years, Mother Powell served in ministry at Gethsemane in numerous capacities. Mother Powell served as a Mother of the church, President Emeritus of the Shepherd’s Ministry (Pastor’s Aide); President of the Missionary Ministry; President of the Jubilee Chorus; Prayer Warrior and Bible student. Mother Powell enjoyed talking about Jesus and sharing the importance of accepting Jesus as Savior so much so, that she wrote a play entitled, “When Jesus Comes Knocking at Your Door”. It was produced and directed by her for Gethsemane. She would visit nursing homes, prisons and members in their homes to offer prayer, song and scriptures as well as clean their homes when needed. She traveled extensively to mission fields in Barbados, Jamaica and other states to serve as a missionary.

     Mother Annie Bell consistently distributed religious tracts, food, and clothing to those in need. Mother Powell enjoyed the laughter and fun of family gatherings where she would cook the favorite dishes of her loved ones. She was always intentional in sharing a meal with those in her building or those sitting on the neighborhood bench. Mother Powell would express her love for children through giveaways of school supplies in the neighborhood as well as hosting BBQs for her neighbors. She organized and maintained the Community Garden. She was known as a kind, generous and wise woman who inspired people with her faith and hope in God. She was serious about her work for the Lord, but she was also known for her sense of humor and amiable personality. Mother Annie Bell Powell was a faithful servant of the Lord who loved people. Her greatest joy was to encourage others. Thousands of lives have been blessed by her great heart.

     Mother Annie Bell Powell’s love for her family was the source of her covenant with her sister, Mrs. Susie Lee Baker to raise her three youngest children. In 1972, Mrs. Susie Lee Baker transitioned and Mother Powell kept her covenant to raise Vivian Baker, Leroy Baker and Sandra Baker in the Bronx, New York. Mother Powell provided a loving, stable God-fearing home for her nieces and nephew. They grew in the knowledge of Jesus Christ and accepted the Lord as Savior and was baptized at the Gethsemane Baptist Church. Mother Powell was a role model of the power of prayer and the word of God. She would arise in the morning and found her way to the kitchen table to read her word and prayer with her nieces and nephew. At night she would be on her knees praying before going to bed. Mother Powell was truly a magnificent woman of Grace, Strength, and Love. In 1986, Mother Powell extended her family with the addition of adopting Danielle Williams-Toussaint whom she loved and was so very proud of her accomplishments and love for her children and husband. She always surrounded herself with her friends and family, which is where she felt great comfort and love.

     Preceding Mother Powell in death was her mother and father Mrs. Marie (Rush) Glover and Mr. Promise Glover; husbands; Mr. David McCrimmon and Mr. Willie Powell; a son, Mr. Willie Craig Powell; a sister, Mrs. Susie Lee Baker; two brothers, Mr. Gilbert Glover and Mr. Jesse Glover.

     Mother Powell leaves to cherish her passing, her loving and devoted family; four sons; Joseph Allen, Robert McCrimmon, Willie Hatcher (Shirley) and Collins Hardee (Shirley), two daughters; Lillie Birch and Lula Bell Powell and an adopted daughter; Danielle Williams Toussaint (Taharqa), and nieces and nephew that she raised; Vivian Scott (Johnny), Sandra Baker, Leroy Baker (Gwen), grandchildren, great-grandchildren, great-great grandchildren and great-great-great grandchildren. She also leaves to cherish her memory, a host of cousins, in-laws, a devoted church family and a number of neighbors and friends.

     Funeral services will be 11:00 am Saturday, August 5^th at Victory Deliverance Center Church, 523 West Bridgers Ave., Auburndale, with visitation beginning at 10am at the church. Interment will follow at Auburndale Memorial Park.  

     Repast will follow at Auburndale Community Church.