Catherine Wesson Powell

On Saturday, June 27, 2026, CATHERINE FRANCES WESSON POWELL nee Britton closed her weary eyes and quietly went home to be with her Lord and Savior. Catherine was the third child born to the late George and Pauline Mello Britton on December 28, 1936, at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, Maryland. Born and raised in East Baltimore. Catherine was baptized as a child at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church. She graduated from St. Frances Academy, an all-girl Catholic boarding school for students of color in 1954. Catherine met John C. Powell, the love of her life and from this union their son Derek Anthony Powell was born. Boo and Turk, as they were known throughout the East Baltimore community, were together for 62 years. Catherine began working in the Baltimore City Public School System after completing her course work at the then Coppin State Teacher’s College. She first worked at Cecil, Elementary School #7, then Johnston Square, Elementary School # 16, and later at Mergenthaler High School. She worked in various capacities within the Baltimore City Public School System for 49 years. Loved and remembered by many of her former coworkers, students and their parents, she was always greeted affectionately and thanked for her kindness and generosity toward them whenever we encountered them, which was virtually everywhere we went in the city. An avid sports fan and self-proclaimed tomboy, in her youth, she loved playing softball, roller skating and bowling. In her later years you would often find her on the telephone with her son-in-law Allen, or Cousin Carlita, critiquing the coaching or playing of her favorite football, baseball, or basketball teams. Fiercely independent, she never drove because of her low vision but had no problem catching a bus wherever she wanted to go. On weekends you could find her anywhere from Lexington Market, Owings Mills Mall, or Atlantic City. In her later years she formed a bond with the late Gregory Smith, her much younger traveling companion, and because of him, she regained some of her lost independence. Boo, as she was affectionately known, loved her family dearly, often sharing fond memories of her visits to the Mello family home on Harford Road and later Aisquith Street and Broadway. Her family anthem was the song, “We are Family.” She had a special relationship with her grandson Quenten Branch and was broken hearted because of his early and tragic death . To know Boo was to love her. She had a ready smile and was able to easily engage with anyone she met. When referencing her, people often began with the phrase, “That’s my girl.” She was deeply loved and will be missed by many. Catherine leaves to treasure her memory: her husband, John; daughter, Adrienne Britton-Stokes (Allen); son, Derek Anthony Powell; bonus son, John Tyrone Powell; bonus grandchildren, Jamal, Collin, Tyecia, and Ayana Powell; and great granddaughters, Samaiya and Qori Branch; sisters, Regina Britton and Francine Hopkins; nieces, nephews, beloved cousins and a host of other relatives and friends. She had a special bond with her niece Patricia Britton Laurent and nephew Patrick Britton. Catherine was preceded in death by her brother Dennis Britton, known throughout East Baltimore as Sookie.

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Catherine Wesson Powell

December 28, 1936 - June 27, 2026