JANUARY 20 – Jimmy Gayle Powell, 73, of Farmville, went to be with the Lord on Wednesday, January 19, 2011. He was born January 1, 1938 in Prattville, Alabama, the son of the late James and Evia Powell.

He served in the United States Navy for two years. He then embarked on a legendary 30-year career with the Department of Justice, Federal Bureau of Prisons, where he was only the fifth person in history to hold the position of Chief Financial Manager, retiring in 1987. He then served as a Business Manager for the Virginia Department of Corrections at Deep Meadow Correctional Center, retiring in 2001. He served as the Chairman of the Buckingham County Republican Party and was a member of the Buckingham/Dillwyn Garden Club.

Mr. Powell loved cooking and sharing his recipes. He enjoyed gardening and was an avid bird collector, raising many breeds of chickens, ducks, guineas and peacocks. He was a die-hard fan of the University of Alabama. He was loved and respected by all who knew him and will be missed by many. Roll Tide!

He is survived by his wife of 51 years, Elaine McCord Powell; daughter and son-in-law, Tracey and Paul Wilbanks; son and daughter-in-law, Spencer and Meredith Powell; son, Jeff Powers; grandchildren, Paul Joseph Wilbanks, Amaris Wilbanks, Shiloh and Cristen Wilbanks, Tyler Powell and Kennedy Powell all of Farmville; mother-in-law, Margie McCord of Prattville, Alabama; sisters, Gaynelle Hampton and Gwen Watson of Montgomery, Alabama and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Mr. Powell was preceded in death by his parents, James and Evia Powell, brothers, Spencer and James Hornsby Powell, granddaughter, Sable Elaine Wilbanks and father-in-law, Samuel “Ed” McCord.

Shorter Funeral Home, Farmville, is handling the arrangements, with a memorial service to be held this spring at Calvary Tabernacle Church.

www.shorterfuneralhome.com