Susie (Johnson) Powell

Susie Johnson Powell died peacefully on Thursday, October 6th at the age of 95 with her family at her side. A lifelong resident of Georgia, she had lived in Athens for the last 25 years.
Susie is survived by four children, Mike Powell (Anne) of Statham, GA, Jim Powell (Jean) of Monroe, GA, Vicki Powell Sorrow (Randy) of Rabun Gap, GA, and Susan Powell of Buford, GA; a niece that she loved like a daughter, Adna James of Fort Oglethorpe, GA; thirteen grandchildren and 20 great grandchildren; daughter-in-law, Genia Powell. She is predeceased by an infant daughter, Suzzanne Marie Powell; her husband, Samuel Edward Powell; her eldest son, David Powell; her grandson, Jonny Powell; her parents, James and Addie Johnson; her brother, Jake Johnson; and her half brother, Fred Dixon.
Susie was born in Metter, GA on December 1, 1926 to James and Addie Johnson. After graduating from Metter High School, she proudly joined the US Cadet Nurse Corp during WW II, earning her RN from Erlanger Hospital in Chattanooga, TN and becoming the first in her family to achieve a higher education. While in Chattanooga, she fell in love with Samuel Edward Powell, a Marine and future actuary, and they married on September 14, 1947. After losing her first child to prematurity, she would go on to birth and raise five healthy children.
Susie had a fifty year career as a operating room nurse dedicating herself to the patients and physicians she served in multiple hospitals, including Emory and Decatur Hospital. She was especially proud of being able to provide a second income for her family while continuing to be the mother her five children needed. Her children always came first. Getting up at 5 AM to stand on her feet all day in an operating room never stopped her from staying up half the night with a sick child.
Susie had a warm and caring personality, was easy to carry on a conversation, and made friends everywhere she went. She also had a generous heart, frequently volunteering to provide nursing care to sick or hospitalized relatives and friends. Susie, like all the “Metter Magnolias” in her family, was an excellent southern cook—a talent that never went unnoticed by the hungry mouths around her table. Fried chicken, pound cakes and divinity fudge were her specialties.
After retirement, Susie moved to Athens in order to be closer to her family. She particularly enjoyed being able to spend more quality time with her young grandchildren—graciously volunteering for babysitting, driving them to activities, and taking them for a bite to eat. Her deep faith and spiritual yearning led her to Beech Haven Baptist Church, where she was lovingly accepted by the beautiful ladies in the Sunshine Class, quickly developing close friendships and becoming involved in her church and community. She cherished these relationships until her death.
Susie loved her children—always saying that having her children was the happiest time of her life—and her children loved her. She was a wonderful wife, mother, grandmother, and great grandmother who inspired everyone around her with her small town values—humility, hard work, commitment—her faith, and her unwavering devotion to the ones she loved. Susie enjoyed independence into her 90’s, but as change became inevitable, she found comfort and contentment in the new friends and compassionate staff at Whispering Pines Personal Care Home and Winder Healthcare. Her children visited often to find her reading or sleeping in her comfortable recliner—and on extra special  days, with her “baby dog,” Nala, in her lap. Susie will be deeply missed by her friends and family.
A funeral service will be held on Tuesday, October 11, 2022 at 2:00 pm in the chapel of Lord & Stephens, West. The family will receive friends prior to the service from 1:00 - 2:00 pm. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to: Beech Haven Baptist Church Senior Adult Ministry or the charity of your choice.

Lord & Stephens Funeral Home, WEST, Watkinsville is in charge of arrangements. www.lordandstephens.com.