Ms. Ara T. Powell
Ara Thomas Powell was born June 12, 1924 in Sumter County, Alabama to Williams and Etta (Moss) Thomas. She was the youngest of three children that included a brother, Nelson, and sister, Beatrice “Bea”. At an early age she moved with her family to Tuscaloosa where she attended the Lutheran Parochial School that was established for black pupils.
She enrolled at Alabama A&M College, a new university, where she participated in numerous activities including the choir, YWCA, Lafemme Club, and NAACP.
While in college she became an assistant to the librarian where she extended the life-long habit of being an avid reader. She found time to meet and cheer on the captain of the football team – James A. Powell, who would later become her husband.
Spending summers in Chicago, her family’s new home, afforded her the opportunity to engage in another passion, attending musical performances and theatrical productions.
Upon being graduated from Alabama A&M in 1946 with a BS degree in Elementary Education she was married to James Albert Powell on June 26, 1946 in Elmore County, Alabama. Her husband, having returned from Service decorated with two bronze stars for service in Europe and North Africa during World War II, was enrolled as a GI student at Tuskegee Institute (now University) where he would eventually earn the B.S. and M.Ed. degree in Vocational Agriculture.
Mrs. Powell was married for forty-seven (47) years until the death of her husband on October 2, 1993. Their union produced two sons: James A. Powell Jr. and Gregory Alonzo Powell. The couple worked to provide educational opportunities for their sons including extensive travel, experiences throughout the south and to the mid-west and west coast.
Between them, the two educators held positions in Elmore, Monroe, and Choctaw Counties in Alabama before moving to Conecuh County permanently.
The Powell family appreciates the many acts of kindness expressed by our many friends. Special thanks are extended to the doctors, other health care providers, caregivers, and others who provided service during Mrs. Powell’s illness; of particular note is the outstanding service provided by Mrs. Roberta Averette.
- The Family