Joseph Powell's Obituary
Joseph H. Powell, President Emeritus of Baptist Memorial Health Care System, passed away August 2, 2013, at the age of 86.He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Ann, and three daughters—Charlotte Powell Nix and daughter, Sarah; Meg Powell Cullar and husband, John, and sons, Joseph and Carter; and Lea Powell Jacobson, and husband, Dale, and son, Carson. He was preceded in death by his parents, Carter and Savannah Powell, and eight older siblings.He was born in Etowah, Tenn., on October 5, 1926. He graduated from the University of Tennessee in 1950 with a bachelor’s in business administration and earned a master’s in health care administration from the University of Minnesota. He served twice in the U.S. Army.Joe began his career with Baptist Memorial Hospital as an administrative resident in 1954 and became president in 1980. He oversaw the creation of the Baptist Health Care System during his presidency. He retired from the presidency in 1994, becoming President Emeritus and Senior Consultant, and was instrumental in the formation of the Baptist Memorial Health Care Foundation, the charitable arm of the Baptist system.He received many professional recognitions, including the President’s Award and the Distinguished Service Award from the Tennessee Hospital Association, the L. M. Graves Memorial Health Award for Outstanding Achievement in Community Health, and the L. Palmer Brown Silver Hope Award from the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. He was awarded an honorary doctorate of humanics from Union University.Joe was active in the Memphis community, including service as a board member of the Memphis Symphony Orchestra, a longtime Rotarian, and chairman of the Health Services Division of United Way. A member of First Baptist Church for 58 years, he was chairman of the deacons, Sunday school teacher, and departmental director.Joe was an avid tennis fan, and he and Ann attended several Grand Slam Tournaments. He also enjoyed playing tennis and liked to say that his most reliable strategy for winning at doubles was “excellent partner selection.”Joe was known for his great sense of humor and always had a good joke and an encouraging word for others. He described his favorite stories—often about his hometown of Etowah—as “mostly true.” He enjoyed University of Tennessee athletics and was an especially devoted fan of football, women’s basketball, and men’s basketball. He also supported the University of Tennessee Health Science Center in Memphis.A memorial service will be at First Baptist Church of Memphis, at Poplar and East Parkway, on Thursday at 2 p.m. with visitation at the church at 1 p.m. The family will also receive friends at Memorial Park from 6-8 p.m. on Wednesday.Memorial gifts may be made to First Baptist Church of Memphis, Baptist Memorial Health Care Foundation, or Trezevant Foundation.Arrangements have been entrusted to Memorial Park Funeral Home and Cemetery, 5668 Poplar Ave., Memphis, TN 38119, (901)767-8930, “Behind the Stone Wall”.To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family, please visit our Sympathy Store
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