Obituary

Del Marie Powell was born November 16, 1939 to the union of Henry P. Hunter and Mildred L. Hunter of Monroe, Louisiana. She received her formative education from the Monroe Louisiana School District and graduated from Carroll High School in 1958. Soon after graduation Del Marie relocated to Berkeley, CA where she lived with Juanita “Aunt Bob” and Ollie “Uncle Buddy” Duckins to continue her education at Merritt College.

Del Marie accepted Christ, at an early age, was baptized and became a member of the True Vine Baptist Church in Monroe, LA under the pastorage of Rev. Robert Homes where she served in the Sunshine Band, the Junior Union Usher Board and sang in the Youth Choir. After relocating to Berkeley, CA, Del Marie united with the Pleasant Grove Baptist Church in Oakland, CA under the pastorage of Rev. Dr.  Arilee Hightower where she served on the Adult Usher Board. Del Marie later moved to San Francisco, CA uniting with Paradise Missionary Baptist Church under the pastorage of Rev. Dr. Ray Howard, Sr. where she served on the Adult Usher Board. She later moved back to the Eastbay uniting with the New Bethel Baptist Church under the pastorage of Rev. Dr. Lloyd Farr. Del Marie served faithfully in many capacities Women’s Ministry, Choir, Armorer Bearer and Deaconess. She started the “Pot-O-Grits” Ministry that increased Sunday School attendance tremendously as attendees would get a hot bowl of grits, bacon, eggs and toast before Sunday School. She later moved to Goodyear, AZ uniting with the First Institutional Baptist Church under the pastorage of Dr. Warren H. Stewart, Sr., she served faithfully in the Choir, Maryvale Mission Circle, Pastor’s Aide and organized FIBC’s first “100 Women in White” Night of Prayer. She later moved to Buckeye, AZ where she united with Faith, Hope and Love Community Church (formally known as Mt. Pleasant Church) under the pastorage of Dr. Rodney Pearson. There she served faithfully in the Ruth Circle, TREE Ministry, she formed the Pastor’s Aide and worked in any capacity that would uplift the name of her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

In 1962, Del Marie married Earl L. Powell, Sr., to this union four children were born: Earl Luther, Jr., Kim Marie, Pope Lorenzo and Henry Price.

In 1968, Del Marie participated in a Federal Government Affirmative Action Training Program at United Airlines. The Training Program offered a variety of training programs to women of color in the airline industry. After completing the program Del Marie and lifelong friends Fran Lowery, Juanita Brown, Iberia Hamlett became United Airlines Employees joining the International Association of Machinist (IAM) Union. While at United Del Marie received her Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Airframe and Powerplant License in 1985 becoming one of the first African American Female Airline Mechanics for United Airlines. Del Marie retired from United Airlines in 1999 after 31 years of service.

Mother Del Marie Powell was preceded in death by her mother, Mildred L. Newton, her father, Henry P. Hunter, Sr., her sisters, Ella B. Ratcliff and Linda Hurt, and brother, Ralph E. Hunter, her sons, Minister Earl L. Powell, Jr., and Minister Pope L. Powell.

She leaves to cherish and celebrate her life and memory daughter, Kim Marie Stroman of Buckeye, AZ, son, Henry Price Powell and wife, Bridget of Keller, TX; daughter-in-law, Toni Powell of South San Francisco, CA; three brothers: Henry P. Hunter (Mary) and Sidney Hunter (Delores) both of Detroit, MI, Michael Hunter of Milwaukee, WI; four sisters: Twin sister Zora Brown (Tommie) and JoAnn Davis both of Tulsa, OK, Ida Marie Reynolds and Thelma Wiggins both of Detroit, MI; thirteen grandchildren: Earl L. Powell, III, Jairus Powell, Jorim Powell, Raymond Pinkston, II, Ryan Pinkston, Royce Pinkston, Donnise Powell, Chaunise Powell, Janise Powell, Lanise Powell, Price Jordan Powell, Naomi Simone Powell and Kiera Marie Powell; three great-granddaughters and a host of family and friends.

A public viewing is scheduled for Tuesday, June 23, 2020 from 6 to 8pm at Thompson Funeral Chapel, 926 S. Litchfield Rd. in Goodyear. Traditional funeral services will be held on Wednesday, June 24, 2020 at 10am at the same location.