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Obituary for The Reverend Armistead Christian Powell
The Reverend Armistead Christian Powell, a retired Episcopal Priest of the Diocese of Texas, died peacefully at home surrounded by his loving family on March 6, 2021. He was 81.
Armistead was born in Mobile, Alabama, on March 15, 1939, to Edward Lewis and Edith (Christian) Powell. He grew up on Lookout Mountain, Tennessee, and his family moved to Texas when he was 17. He graduated from Trinity University in San Antonio with a Bachelor of Arts, majoring in the Classical Languages. In addition to pitching on the Trinity baseball team, he sang in the Choir and was a member of Blue Key Honor Society. He then graduated from the Virginia Theological Seminary in Alexandria, Virginia, and was later ordained to the Diaconate in 1965 and to the Priesthood in 1966. He served several churches in Central Texas and was Rector of All Saints’ Episcopal Church, Austin, Texas from 1969-1994.
Armistead had an unwavering belief in God’s abiding and faithful love of people, even in spite of ourselves. He had a genuine love for and acceptance of people, and was a Priest of courage, conviction and vision. With his towering presence, he was an advocate for change and believed deeply that the Church is a community of God’s love and is called to serve the world. Armistead had a contagious sense of humor and frequently said that his call to ministry was an illustration of God’s sense of humor. In 1962, he married the light and love of his life, Virginia Thomas; her love was a constant in Armistead’s life. He and Virginia had two wonderful, lovely and loving twin daughters, Heather and Holly. Armistead is survived by his wife, Virginia; daughter Holly Powell Lange, her husband, Alan, and their two sons, Ford and Jake; daughter Heather Christian Powell, her partner, Julia Kingston, and their son, Griffin; brothers Ned Powell and Murray Powell and his wife Sarah, and his sister, Edith Powell Reed; and by numerous nieces and nephews . There will be two celebrations for the life of Armistead Christian Powell. The first will be held on Saturday, March 13 at 10:00 a.m. at the Cathedral Church of St. Andrew, Jackson, Mississippi. For more information on COVID policies and to livestream the service, please visit www.standrews.ms. A second celebration will be held at a safer time for more to gather at All Saints’ Episcopal Church in Austin, Texas. Memorials may be made in his name to the Virginia Theological Seminary, 3737 Seminary Road, Alexandria, Virginia 22305 or the charity of your choice.
“May the souls of the faithful rest in peace and may light perpetual shine upon them. Amen.”
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