John "J.B." Bennett Powell

John "J.B." Bennett Powell, Sr., 79, of Grandview Ave., Morganton, went home to be with his Lord and savior, Jesus Christ following a period of declining health at Palliative Care Center and Hospice of Catawba Valley, Newton, NC on March 14, 2009. Born in Burke County, May 28, 1929, he was the son of the late Jimmy and Effie Powell.J.B. was a member of Grandview Baptist Church for 50 years, where he had served as a Deacon, Sunday School Teacher, and helped build the new fellowship hall. He loved his church and church family. He had retired from DOT and worked as a carpenter for Wilson Construction for a number of years. He was a veteran of the Korean Conflict serving with the US Army. He enjoyed traveling, gardening, and working out in his yard. He especially enjoyed helping others.J.B. is survived by his wife of 19 years, Margaret H. Jordan Powell; daughter, Patricia "Patty" Hall, and her husband, Stanley of Kings Mountain, NC; a son, Johnny Powell of Morganton; a step-son J. Steven Jordan, and his wife, Joyce of Morganton; sisters, Lillie Mae Griffith, of Drexel, and Ann Benfield, of Morganton; a grandchild, Heath Powell of Raleigh, NC; step-grandchildren, Noah Spencer, and his wife, Myra, Shayne Jordan, and his wife, Whitney, Shanna Wall, and her husband, Darren all of Morganton; and step-great-grandchildren, Braxton Spencer, Chloe Spencer, Bryce Jordan and Cooper Wall, all of Morganton.In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by his first wife, Nora Elizabeth Powell; a sister, Marion Mode; and a brother, James "Bud" Powell.A celebration of life will be held at 3:00 p.m., Tuesday, at Grandview Baptist Church with Rev. John Whisnant, Rev. Dr. Dewey Thomas, Rev. Ron Hawkins and Rev. Thurman Jenkins officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery with military honors by the Valdese American Legion Post 234 ceremonial team. The family will receive friends from 7:00 and 9:00 p.m. Monday at Sossoman Funeral Home where the body will remain until placed in the church 30 minutes before the funeral hour. Memorial contributions may be made to Grandview Baptist Church, 2828 NC 126, Morganton, NC 28655 or to Palliative Care Center and Hospice of Catawba County, 2979 Robinson Rd., Newton, NC 28655.The family of J.B. Powell would like to express their thank-you to the staff and Doctors at Palliative Care Center and Hospice of Catawba Valley for their love and special care of our husband and father.