Harry Powell Obituary – The Daily Times

Harry Watson Powell Sr., age 83, passed away at his home on the evening of Saturday, August 19, 2023. Watson was born on September 21, 1939, to the late Charles Henry Powell Sr. and Clara Knight Powell. Watson lived his whole life in Newark, Maryland, moving only once, to just across the road from where he was born and raised. Watson married the love of his life, Betty Jean (Justice) Powell of Whaleyville, Maryland, nearly 66 years ago on November 23, 1957.

Watson, often referred to as “Walnut,” was a loving father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. He had a passion for farming, animals, and family. With his family by his side and many years of hard work, he built a successful row crop and over-the-road trucking business. Watson’s passion for farming got started when he tended to his parent’s dairy cows. In the late 1960s Watson and Jean started raising broiler chickens, and did so for over 40 years, winning many awards for outstanding performance along the way. In the late 1980s they started a swine operation and raised pigs for 15 years. It was also around this time that Watson purchased his first over-the-road truck and began hauling soybean meal, grain, and clams. Watson grew row crops all his life and slowly expanded the operation over the years. Watson’s children also developed a passion for farming while growing up on the farm. His daughters both continued raising broiler chickens, and his son continued growing crops and driving trucks.

Watson believed a farm was not a farm without animals. He enjoyed taking golf cart rides around the farm to check on his cows and feed his cats. Watson also enjoyed outings to check on his crops and see how much it rained at his farms. He especially enjoyed reminiscing about the old days while riding around in his 1963 Ford Galaxie 500. In his early years, he enjoyed taking his family on the boat to his favorite clamming spot. In his later years, he spent winters in Florida with his wife and friends.

The family finds comfort in knowing that even though they have lost a loved one here on earth, they have gained an angel in heaven that will watch over the big white house on the hill and will bless them with a safe and bountiful harvest this fall. Watson’s legacy will undoubtedly be carried on by his family.

Watson is survived by his wife, Betty Jean Powell, and his three children, Nancy Powell Donoway (Mike), Bonnie Powell Lewis (Andy), Harry Watson “Buster” Powell Jr. (Annette), all of Newark, Maryland, grandchildren, Michael Donoway Jr. (April), Matthew Donoway (Shannon), Amber Beauchamp (Byron), Sarah Milligan (Hunter), Lindsey Palmer (Phillip), Lauren Lewis (Grayson), Hunter Powell, and great-grandchildren, Lawson Donoway, Saylor Milligan, Lance Donoway, Haddie Donoway, and Paisley Beauchamp. Watson is also survived by his sister Bessie J. Calhoun of Dagsboro, Delaware. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brothers Charles Henry Powell Jr., Harold Carlton “Buddy” Powell, and great-grandson Lane Ryan Donoway.

A visitation for family and friends will be held at the Burbage Funeral Home in Berlin, Maryland on Wednesday, August 23, 2023, from 6 to 8 pm, and on Thursday, August 24, 2023, from 10 to 11 am. A funeral service will be held at the Burbage Funeral Home in Berlin, Maryland on Thursday, August 24, 2023, at 11 am. Pastor James Kurtz will officiate. Interment will follow at Bowen Cemetery in Newark, Maryland. Following the interment, friends and family are invited to gather for food and fellowship at the Snow Hill Volunteer Fire Department in Snow Hill, Maryland.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Watson’s memory to Newark Volunteer Fire Department at PO Box 82, Newark, MD 21841, or Bowen United Methodist Church c/o Sally Molnar at 7967 Libertytown Road, Berlin, MD 21811.