Powell, Sr., Edward A.

Over the past decades, VT football fans heard the chant, “Hit Somebody.” They knew Ed was there cheering on the Hokies to victory. Nothing made him happier, especially when the wins came against UVA in Charlottesville.

Ed was born in Washington, D.C. and grew up in Annandale, VA. He graduated from Thomas Jefferson High School in 1968. It was there that he met the lovely Judith Faith. He went on to graduate from VT with Bachelor & Masters degrees in business administration. Later, Ed & Judie married and lived in Manassas Va for 23 years before realizing his dream of returning to SW Va to build a home in Giles County. Ed designed his dream home but always kept in mind the concept, “If Momma’s not happy, nobody’s happy.” The Powells spent 15 years living in this very special neighborhood among the folks who would become much beloved & cherished friends.

Ed’s career focused on human resources in the electric utility industry. He worked for a variety of businesses including Dominion Electric and Edison Electric Institute (EEI) followed by 20 years as a compensation & benefits consultant in the company he founded, EAP DIS LLC. His company grew out of the exceptional value his longtime clients at EEI saw in him during his years of service to them and their desire to maintain those relationships. He retired in 2022.

Ed is survived by his wife Judith F. Powell, son Edward A. Powell, Jr. (Vanessa), Brother-in-Law John Faith Sr. (Terry), Nephew John Faith Jr. (Jayne), William B. Faith (Theresa), Great nephew Jackson Faith, Niece Christine Faith, Nephew Robert Denison, Niece Ellen Denison, and many wonderful Cornelius & Powell cousins. His parents were Carl C. Powell (Green County, Va) and Alberta C. Powell (Waterloo, Iowa).

Not to be omitted are the treasured line of pug dogs that enriched his life from childhood throughout his later years. His 1st pug was Bolger who learned the hard lesson to never eat the bread dough Alberta had rising on the hearth. Others were Hoover, Lily, Ernie, Miss Scarlett, and Mr Rhett. He leaves behind Beau (6 yrs old) to look after Judie in Ed’s place, knowing that Beau is already dedicated to this task.

Donations in lieu of flowers may be made in Ed’s name to any of the following: VT Pamplin School of Business, the Parkinsons Foundation, or the VT Veterinary School.

The Powell Family wishes to thank the many individuals and businesses who supported Ed, especially after his hospitalizations and admission to long-term care. You know who you are, saints who made his last days as tolerable as possible. May God bless you all!

A graveside will be held on Monday, June 24, 2024, at 12:30 PM in the Memorial Gardens of the New River Valley. Before the graveside, a visitation will be held at McCoy Funeral Home from 11-12:00 PM