Waburn "Bert" Vernon Powell Obituary (1927 - 2020)

Waburn Vernon "Bert" Powell, 92, passed from this life at his home on February 13, 2020, in Tulsa, OK. He was born June 10, 1927, in Floyd, AR, son of William Vernon Powell and Beulah Hicks Clark Powell. He enlisted in the United States Navy March 26, 1945, served as a Motor Machinist's Mate Third Class, awarded the Asiatic-Pacific Medal and Victory Medal, and on July 15, 1946, awarded an Honorable Discharge. He returned to West Helena, AR, and received his GED July 7, 1947. In September 1947, he moved to Tulsa, OK, to marry the love of his life Maxine Lawrence and enjoyed 68 years together. He was a 32nd Degree Mason. He worked for Tulsa Linen, Industrial Uniform and Towel Supply, then he started his own business Allied Battery & Auto Electric. When he sold that property, he got a part-time job with LabCorp that lasted until January 2017 (he was still trying to get that release letter so he could go back to work, though). He enjoyed life and most of all spending time with his family. He was preceded in death by his wife Maxine and son William "Bates" Powell, his father and mother, as well as brothers Fayburn and Verlin Lee, and sisters Wilma and Marvalene. He is survived by son Steve Powell ( Sherry) of Tulsa, and daughter Rhonda O'Brien (Pat) of Broken Arrow, Bates' wife Marie Powell of Tulsa. He is also survived by 8 grandchildren, Ryan (Dana) and Brandon Powell, Les (Jayme), Patrick (Amy), and Michael ( Sarah) O'Brien, granddaughters Mandy (Jason) Carothers, Amber (Derrick) Hildebrant, and Jessica (Brock) Carr, twenty-two great-grandchildren, sister Val Hollowell, brother-in-law Jimmy (Patricia) Lawrence, lifelong friend William Bates (Mabel) Pierce, numerous nieces and nephews, and last but not least Lit'l DooDad.