Alfred Shirlowe Powell

Alfred Shirlowe Powell left his children and friends on this earth to join his heavenly Lord and Savior on Wednesday, June 20, 2018 with his family by his side. Shirlowe was born in Fuquay Springs on April 22 1933 to the late Baxter Lynn Powell and Flossie Smith Powell. He was the last of 12 siblings. He was preceded in death by his wife of 64 years, Frances Matthews Powell, his brother, Homer Lee Powell and great-granddaughter Macie Lynn Tucker. Shirlowe joined the Army in 1951 and ended his service in 1953 after a serving a tour in Korea, earning the title of Master Sargeant and the Purple Heart and Bronze Star. Shirlowe returned home from the army to his wife and 4 acres of land to farm tobacco. After going in the hole the first year, he took a truck driver position with Colonial Stores/Big Star and worked with them for 34 years and then drove for Kennan Oil until he retired. Moving his family to Raleigh, Shirlowe moved their church membership from Piney Grove Baptist Church to Boulevard Baptist Church, known now as Athens Drive Baptist Church, where he was a dedicated member. Shirlowe began teaching Sunday School in 1959 and continued until 2015; he served on the deacon board and various other committees throughout his years. He was dedicated to mission work and went on many trips to Honduras and Puerto Rico sharing the gospel and helping to build churches. Shirlowe, along with his wife Frances, began working in Lay Revival in 1975 and coordinated revivals all over the United States. Shirlowe volunteered with the Baptist State Convention of North Carolina in the structure of a old tractor trailer that would be used to house food and utilities to feed thousands in the event of a disaster. The vehicle was ready for the first call for the tornadoes of Red Springs. Shirlowe was appointed to a State Coordinator position and held the position for 7 years and then led “region 5” thru disasters until he left the program to drive the North Carolina Baptist Mens Dental Bus Ministry to assigned designations. Shirlowe is survived by his daughter, Debbie Evans and husband Marshall Jr of Bolivia; son, A. Marlowe Powell of Angier; daughter Dianne Jones and husband Woody of Fuquay Varina; daughter Donna Kaye Murray and husband Jimmy of Fuquay Varina; a host of grandchildren (7) and great-grandchildren (9) and nieces, nephews, and extended family.