Obituary of Railey Powell

Railey Wesley Powell, age 77 of Brownsville, TN died Tuesday morning, December 7, 2010 at Methodist North Hospital in Memphis after a long illness. Mr. Powell was a graduate of Haywood County High School in Brownsville, attended Auburn University, and completed coursework at the National Hardwood Inspection School. He joined his family's lumber business, Powell Hardwoods Manufacturing, in 1952 and retired as the company's chairman 40 years later. He served as President of the Tennessee Forestry Association and South Central Hardwood Club, was a member of the Boards of the National Hardwood Lumber Association and Hardwood Manufacturers Association, held various positions in the Memphis Lumberman's Club, and was awarded that association's Lumberman of the Year in 1990. He served on the Boards of the Brownsville Bank, First State Bank, and Haywood Park General Hospital. He was actively involved in community service throughout his life, including as a member of the Boards of the Jackson Area Chapter of the American Red Cross and Tennessee Academy and several committees of the First United Methodist Church. He is survived by his wife, Patsy Thomas Powell of Brownsville, TN; his daughter Lisa Powell Brown and son-in-law Scott Brown, of Germantown, TN ; his son Wesley R. Powell, of New York, New York; and two grandsons, Benjamin and William Brown. Visitation will be at the First United Methodist Church in Brownsville from 5:00 to 7:00 PM on Wednesday, December 8 and the funeral will be at 1:00 PM Thursday, December 9 at First United Methodist Church in Brownsville, with burial at Trinity Cemetery in Nutbush immediately after. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to First United Methodist Church Building Fund, 117 East Franklin St., Brownsville, TN 38012.