Charles Omega Powell Sr., 83, of Mathews, was called home to his Heavenly Father on Oct. 16, 2014. He was known to most as “Capt. Charlie.”
He was born on Aug. 8, 1931 in Mathews. He was the beloved son of the late Charles Rosser and Clara Elizabeth Armstrong Powell.
Charlie was a member of the King Hiram’s Lodge in Provincetown, Mass. He was also a member of St. Paul United Methodist Church and a faithful servant to the Lord. Charlie served his country honorably in the United States Coast Guard for 21 years. During his tour of duty, he spent two years as a lightkeeper at Fort Monroe in Hampton, Va., and 5½ years at Race Point Lighthouse in Provincetown. He was born and raised on the water all of his life.
Upon retiring from the U.S. Coast Guard in 1970, he chose to become a fulltime waterman. There was no place he’d rather be than on the Chesapeake Bay and he taught that love of the water to his son and grandson. He was the “Light of Life” to his family and his eternal life will shine on forever.
He was preceded in death by his wife of 56 years, Doris Elaine Parker Powell, and his grandson, Aaron Marders.
Left to cherish his memories are his four children, and their spouses, Charles Omega Jr. and Tammy Powell of Susan, Va., Patricia Carol Marders of Maryland, Jacqueline Louise and Johnny Lilly of West Virginia, and Clara Elizabeth “Betty” and David Diggs of Gwynn, Va.; a sister, Margaret S. Bannon; eight grandchildren and their spouses, James Marders of Maryland, Seth and Stephanie Lilly of Ohio, Lucas Lilly of West Virginia, Kelly and George Marshall of Diggs, Va., Jason and Kristin Powell of Hallieford, Va., and Bryan and Sarah Powell of North Carolina, Matthew Diggs of Gloucester Point, Va., and Megan and Cliff Stamper of Ohio; and 13 great-grandchildren.
The family received friends on Sunday, Oct. 19, 2014, from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at Foster-Faulkner Funeral Home, Mathews. A funeral service was held on Monday, Oct. 20, 2014, at 11 a.m. at St. Paul United Methodist Church, Susan. Burial followed in St. Paul Annex Cemetery.