Extracted from The Natchez Democrat (Natchez, MS)
Friday, May 4, 2007

Roderick “Rod” Powell Jr.

Oct. 8, 1944 - May 1, 2007

NATCHEZ -- Services for Roderick “Rod” Powell Jr., 62, of Natchez, who died Tuesday, May 1, 2007, at Central Mississippi Medical Center, in Jackson, were held at 11 a.m. Friday, May 4, 2007, at Laird Funeral Home Union Street Chapel with the Rev. Doug Wright officiating.

Burial followed at Greenlawn Memorial Park under the direction of Laird Funeral Home.

Mr. Powell was born Oct. 8, 1944, in Brookhaven, the son of Roderick Robert Powell Sr. and Genell Lambert Powell. He was nicknamed “Sonny” by his mother. Mr. Powell graduated from Natchez High School in 1962. He was a graduate of OCS in Fort Sill, Okla., and was a U. S. Army Veteran of Vietnam. He owned and operated Rod's Trophy Buck Taxidermy. He was retired from International Paper Company after 34 years of service.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and a brother, Kenneth Michael Powell.

Survivors include his wife of 38 years, Valdine Powell of Natchez; sons, Roddy Powell and wife, Sue, and Brian Powell, all of Natchez; daughter, Patti Tyson and husband, Howard, both of Clinton; grandchildren, Hunter, Andrew, and Morgan Tyson, David, Regina, Robert and Shelby Mize; brothers, Pete Powell and wife, Judy, of Joliet, Ill. and Richard Powell and wife, Penny, both of Natchez; sisters, Pat Watts and husband, Billy, both of Mobile, Ala. and Diane Calvitt and husband, Neal, of Brookhaven.

Pallbearers were Barry Chapman, Donnie Verucchi, Aubrey McGraw, Roger Britt, Charlie Thomas and Heath Willard.

Memorials may be made to First Assembly of God Church in Natchez.