Jessie Lee Powell

EVANGELIST JESSIE LEE POWELL, (Jessie Mae) daughter of the Late Eugene A. Leake and Annie Underhill Leake, was born on February 23, 1944 in Green County, North Carolina.. "A wonderful change came over her" on December 21, 2005, as she entered into eternal rest. Missionary Jessie Powell, Mother Powell, Mrs. Powell, Ma Powell, Aunt Jessie, Momma, and Jessie Mae, are just a few of the names that honored this wonderful woman. Jessie was a God-fearing, powerhouse disciple for the Lord. She praised God everywhere she went. Coming from a very loving, Christian Family; Jessie was a great daughter to her parents, sister to her siblings, devoted Wife to her husband, Mother to her children and Grandmother to her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Jessie was certain to take time to patiently nurture, guide, teach, preach to, and discipline her family. These teachings were shared with all whom she encountered. Jessie grew up in Edgecombe County, North Carolina where she attended Bellamy Elementary School, Phillip Junior High, and George Washington Carver High School. Jessie gave her life to Christ at an early age, and continued to follow wherever he led her throughout her life. She was a member of St. Stephens Free Will Baptist Church, in Rocky Mount, North Carolina. Her Maryland memberships included, Ship of Zion (the Late Pastor Richard Sewell), Horn of David (the Late Bishop Fred Hucks), and Jesus Holy Temple (the Late Elder Woodrow Fuller). Jessie served as a Choir Director, Missionary, and Evangelist exuberating her high calling of annointance from the Lord. Jessie frequently visited the sick, offering prayer, reading and preaching the Word of God. Jessie's unconditional love extended to all she knew. As a Christian mother of four, she shared genuine nurturing skills. She was a resident of the Rosemont Homeowners and Tenants Association (RHATA) for over fifteen years. During her tenure in the RHATA community, she organized a community choir, that performed at several neighborhood functions. Jessie was dedicated to helping children become well-nurtured, educated and successful members of our society. This was proven by her twenty-three years of devoted instruction, care, and guidance to the students, faculty, and parents in the Baltimore City Public School System at Lafayette Elementary School #202. Jessie exhibited exceptional interpersonal skills, demeanor, and combined rapport with both the parents and students. Jessie always received the highest level of respect and appreciation that consistently resulted in standing ovations by all. In 1963, Jessie married Joseph Powell Sr. and through that union, Joseph, Jr., Janietta, Justina and Jill were born. Jessie loved her children in all of their individualities. This love was extended to her immediate, as well as, her extended family: The Field's, Murdock's, Brown's, Summer's, McCrea's, and Stanfield's. As a resident of Baltimore, Maryland since 1968, she shared a special bond with her loving sister-in-law, Eunice Ward and a cherished life-long friend, Ms. Doretha Stone. She leaves to cherish her memory and continue her legacy: her husband, Joseph Powell Sr.; four children, Joseph Powell Jr. (Sandra), Janietta Powell Murdock (Randy), Justina Powell, and Jill Inez Powell (Timothy) all of Baltimore, Md.; four brothers, Rev. Richard Leake (Mary), Elder Melvin Leake (Emma), Pastor Thomas Leake (Curley), and Pastor Edward Leake (Pamela) all from Rocky Mount, North Carolina; four sisters, Missionary Isiarene Johnson (Roscoe) of Charlotte, N.C. mother, Margie Farmer (Valentino) of Pinetops, N.C., Faye Leake of Tarboro, N.C. and Elderess Mercy Leake Tillery (Thomas) of Rocky Mount, N.C.; fourteen grandchildren, Stanton, Ashley, Trequisha, Kyle, Phillip, Courtney, Justin, Janay, Ja'twan, J'Shawn, Timothy, Tyrell, Taiwan, and Takai; three great-grandchildren, Stanton Jr., Trequis, and Amauri. Additionally, she is survived by a host of adopted children, god-children, nieces, nephews, cousins, family and friends.

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Jessie Lee Powell

February 23, 1944 - December 21, 2005