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11:57 AM / Friday March 29, 2024

8 Apr 2010

Local hero, Tuskegee Airman Edward Leon Powell, 88

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April 8, 2010 Category: Local Posted by:

Memorial services for Edward Leon Powell, a member of the elite Tuskegee Airmen, were held Monday April 5, 2010, at Ervina White Beauford Funeral Service (viewing), 2134 Stenton Avenue and at Collick Missionary Baptist Church (service), 17th and Wharton Streets. Interment followed at Gulph Christian Cemetery, West Conshohocken, PA.

 

Edward Leon Powell was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to the late Edward and Nonnie Baily Powell on February 21, 1921. He was the third child born out of six children; William, Russell, Albert, Irene and Ruth, whom all preceded him in death.

 

Edward was educated in the Philadelphia School System. He was also a phenomenal athlete as were his brothers William and Russell. He graduated from Overbrook High School with honors. He then joined the U.S. Army Air Corp and attended college in Tuskegee, Alabama where he studied Aviation. Edward became an original group member of an elite group of men known as the Tuskegee Airmen. He received an Honorable Discharge from the military.

 

Edward Leon Powell united in Holy Matrimony to Annie Beatrice Blackman in 1954. To this union one child was born; Daryl Edward Powell. This union lasted until his sunset, a total of fifty six years.

 

Edward became employed by the United States Postal Service while attending school at The Philadelphia College of Pharmacy. He was the first Black student to graduate from Philadelphia College of Pharmacy. He was the pharmacist for Sun Ray Drugs for a number of years. He then became pharmacist and part owner of Media Pharmacy in Media, Pennsylvania. He was the first Black pharmacist in Delaware County. He was a pharmacist for over forty one years, finally retiring from Thrift Drugs. He then worked part-time for the Internal Revenue Service.

 

Edward was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor along with other surviving Tuskegee Airmen by President George W. Bush in 2006.

 

He leaves to cherish his memory, his devoted wife; Annie B. Powell, his son; Daryl E. Powell, his granddaughter; Nicole Bianca Powell; nephews; William Powell, Phillip Powell (Mich.),Vernon Collick (PA), nieces; Claudine Powell (France), Cecilia Collick Taylor (PA), sister-in-law; Terez Powell (France), other loving family; Vernell Marshall, Madalline Jackson (VA), Clifford Lesley ( PA), Bill Bailey(VA), Brenda Brookins (VA), Kathryn Young (NJ),Jacqui Davis(PA), Donald Wilson, Kenny Wilson and The Wilson sisters, Mark Carry, Curtis Carney, Peggy Abram (PA), Annabelle Shaw and family (NC), loving friends; Rudine Tucker and family (PA), Veronice Brown and family (PA), Mickey Brown and family (PA); loving neighbors; and the elite group of aviation pioneers, The Tuskegee Airmen, Inc.

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