Charles Powers

Charles Carroll Powers Obituary Charles Carroll Powers passed from this life into the arms of his Maker on May 20, 2015, after suffering a stroke on May 12. He not only loved God with every fiber of his being, but he also loved people of every stripe and background. Most of all, he adored Ann, his wife of nearly 30 years. Theirs was a love unmatched in honesty, openness, and tenderness. Charles was born in Alhambra, California, on September 5, 1926, to Helen Widmeyer and J.C. Powers. Eleven months later, his little brother Marvin Eugene arrived, and from that point forward, the brothers were inseparable, more like twins than anything else. After his primary and secondary education in the Los Angeles area under the watchful eyes of his father and Aunt Pauline, he was drafted into the army in 1944 during World War II, serving in the Asian theater as a reconnaissance specialist and munitions expert. He was honorably discharged on November 12, 1946. After his military service, he attended the University of Southern California and Pasadena College, where he received a Master of Arts in Religion. Somewhere along the way, Charles received the call to ministry for the Church of the Nazarene. Ordained in 1953, he pastored for nearly 50 years. Faith communities blessed to call him pastor include Red Oak, Iowa; Fairbanks and Sitka, Alaska; Norman, Oklahoma; and finally Radnor Church of the Nazarene and Trinity Church of the Nazarene in Nashville, Tennessee. Though he retired in 2001, he never stopped ministering to his family, friends, former parishioners, and even strangers. It's just who he was. Whoever you were, he welcomed you. He is survived by his wife Anna Powers; son Jay (Lori) Powers; son Marck (Terri) Powers; son Ty Powers; brother Marvin (Velva) Powers; grandchildren Haley, Hilary, Kierstin, Jordan, Jessica, Patrick, and Braden; and great-grandchildren Hayden and Marley. He is preceded in death by parents J.C. Powers and Helen Grasness, aunt Pauline Powers, son Chad, and granddaughter Bailey. Survivors also include numerous cousins, nieces, nephews, and countless friends and colleagues. Simply put, Charles was precious. Somehow, his gentle, loving heart held us all. A private interment for immediate family will be held on Friday, May 22. Visitation will be held at Trevecca Community Church of the Nazarene, 335 Murfreesboro Road, Nashville, on Saturday, May 23, from 9:00 to 11:00 with memorial service directly following. The family suggests that expressions of sympathy take the form of contributions to the Wounded Warrior Project (www.woundedwarriorproject.org). MADISON FUNERAL HOME 615-868-9020 www.madisonfuneralhome.net