Lawrence Arnold "Larry" Powell, son of Arnold (1895-1952) and Esther W. (Huwe) (1897-1987) Powell, was born 29 November 1925 in Lansing, Ingham County, Michigan. Larry graduated from Okemos High School in 1944. He married Greeta F. Miller and the couple had 4 children; 1 son and three daughters. Larry was a contractor and skilled carpenter. He died 25 May 1978 and was interred, as were his parents, in Glendale Cemetery, Okemos, Ingham County.
Lansing State Journal (Lansing, Michigan) Saturday 27 May 1978
POWELL, LAWRENCE A.
5001 CORNELL RD
OKEMOS
Age 52, died May 25, 1978. Born Nov. 29, 1925 in Okemos, Michigan. Mr. Powell had lived in Okemos all of his life and was a contractor in Okemos. He was an active member of the First Baptist Church of Okemos. Surviving are his wife Greet A.; 1 son David L. Powell of Okemos; 3 daughters, Ruth A., Marilyn E. and Vicki S. all at home; mother Mrs. Esther Powell of Okemos; 2 sisters Mrs. Doris Aseltine of France and Mrs. Albert Stauffer of Williamston. Memorial services will be held Sunday at 3 p.m. at the First Baptist Church of Okemos with Pastor Paul H. VanGorkom officiating. Interment will be Tuesday in Glendale Cemetery.
Sherrie Paty (Barber) (1966)
Larry was a fine Christian man. He was a stalwart in Okemos Baptist Church and, among his many church roles, undertook direction of the choir. Larry was also very good on the trumpet.
Each spring our small choir put on an a full blown Easter Cantata. That was a real undertaking because we were stretched for talent! Yours truly was among the least in talent but Larry boldly conducted, cajoled and courageously encouraged us on to great heights of sound.
One clear memory is of the night a girl friend and I got the giggles. My father, who carried nothing more than a tune, was in the back row while my mother was in the soprano section - unable to reach me with her corrective hand. Larry was wrapping his baton for attention and somehow missed the metal stand with his wand and crashed his hand onto the stand surface. My girlfriend and I lost it and started giggling which, like a virus, spread through the alto section and into the soprano section and even caught the piano player up in its throws. Poor Larry didn't know what he had done or not done and couldn't get the bunch of us under any control. I was finally dismissed and sent packing to the church basement. My mom had laughed so hard she wept but still valiantly tried to scold me. The whole session was ruined. But later that spring we did put on a fine cantata written by John W. Peterson and directed by Larry!
And I can add - I've remained in contact with one of Larry's daughters, Ruth. She has been a missionary with Africa Inland Mission for over 30 years now and is currently stationed in France. We've had some great talks about the old days at "OB" (Okemos Baptist).