Charlene Powell's Obituary
Charlene Powell was the fourth of eight children. Born, August 29, 1948 in Seattle, WA to Merdes Powell and Blanche Dankins. She attended public school in Seattle and in her early years attended a small COGIC church on Washington street under the leadership of Elder Luther Green who baptized her. In the 1950s, money was tight and there was little left over for extras so entertainment was confined to the neighborhood and what was then called Chinatown (International District). Fun was at the Atlas Theatre, Torchlight parade, Bon Odori, playing hide go seek, or the occasional buying pickles and ginger at the corner drug store. In the 1980s she moved to Tacoma, WA where she remained until her death on March 17, 2020.
Charlene would be the first to tell you "Life for me ain’t been no crystal stair. It’s had tacks in it, And splinters, And boards torn up, And places with no carpet on the floor—Bare. But all the time I’se been a-climbin’ on" (Written by Langston Hughes).
Charlene was an avid reader. She read the bible, newspaper, magazines and books. Her handwriting was exquisite - she had the skills of a calligraphist. Loved music and to dance. Back in the day she was called a "brick house".
Charlene loved to tease people. What she saw she said in a fun loving way. Single women she love to hook you up - often asking "when you getting married or when you gonna find a husband." She had a big, beautiful electrical smile. Friendly. Listen to you with her heart not just her head and then spoke something so profound it knock your socks off. She was also strong willed, stubborn, independent and a fighter. Her mind was not easily changed once made up.
Charlene loved God and knew the bible. She would be the first to say, "God told you to tell me that", "this happened because God's trying to tell me something", "God got my front, back and my side".
Perhaps she would paraphrase the Holy Bible, Romans 7 as her departing words to us.
I don’t understand myself at all, for I really want to do what is right, but I can’t. I do what I don’t want to — what I hate. I know perfectly well that what I am doing is wrong, and my bad conscience proves that I agree with God's laws I am breaking. When I want to do good, I don't; and when I try not to do wrong, I do it anyway. I love to do God's will so far as my new nature is concerned ... In my mind I want to be God’s willing servant, but instead I find myself still enslaved to sin. So you see how it is: my new life tells me to do right, but the old nature that is still inside me loves to sin. Oh, what a terrible predicament I’m in! Who will free me from my slavery to this deadly lower nature? Thank God! It has been done by Jesus Christ our Lord. He has set me free.
She leaves to cherish her memory, daughters: April Henderson (Tony), Danielle Jefferson (Thomas,
deceased) and son Dimitri Powell (Megan). Nine grandchildren and thirteen great grandchildren,
brothers: Tommy and Jeffrey, sisters: Earnestine, JoAnne and Kathleen and a host of nephews, nieces, cousins, and friends. Keith, her long time friend. Her mother, father and two siblings preceded her in death.
CHARLENE, REST IN HEAVEN. WE LOVE YOU. YOU LEFT US SUDDENLY BUT NOW YOU ARE IN THE
JOYOUS AND PEACEFUL PRESENCE OF YOUR FATHER AND SAVIOR, JESUS.
No memorial service planned at this time due to crowd restrictions imposed by the Governor due to the Corona virus.
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