Obituary of Jimmy Powers

Jimmy Davis Powers, 81 of 1287 Timber Ridge Road, Bedford Virginia went home to be with the Lord on February 6, 2014. He fought the cancer battle with strength, determination, dignity and above all his faith. The family wishes to thank Dr. Cecelia MacCallum and her staff at Alan B. Pearson Cancer Center and Centra Hospice. They were a wonderful, caring group of people who helped Jimmy during his battle with cancer. He was born on May 27, 1932 in Bedford County, son of the late Omar Powers. and Edith Gibbs. Besides his parents he was preceded in death by his step father, Dave Gibbs and brother-in-law, Edwin Mitchell. He was a dye and tool maker with 43 years of service at Rubatex Corporation. He was a devoted Christian and member of Timber Ridge Baptist Church, who loved and enjoyed life through service to others. He was a loving, caring husband, dad foster dad, Poppy and friend to everyone who knew him. He was a foster dad for 44 years and made a difference in many children's lives. He was respected and admired member of the community, a source of strength in time of need. He served the community with the Bedford Life Saving Crew for 58 years. He was a veteran of the U. S. Army having served in Company 116 Infantry, 11th Air born, Ft Campbell, KY and 1st Division Service Company, Bamberg, Germany. Jimmy truly loved his country. Because of his love for children he drove the school bus for Bedford County for 17 years. He is survived by his loving wife of 48 years, Norma B. Powers of Bedford, one son and daughter-in-law, Calvin "C.W." & Patty Massie of Charlottesville, a daughter and son-in-law Tonya and Mike Moseley of Forest and a daughter and Toni Powers of Morganton, North Carolina and two sisters, Barbara Mitchell of Huddleston and Florence Davis of Goode. He is also survived by three precious granddaughters, Meaghan Massie of Charlottesville, Allison Hunter and Larkin Scott of Forest. He is also survived by his best buddy Carl Blankenship. Norma and Jimmy have been foster parents for 44 years through Hope Tree Family Services. Some of the many foster children that they have loved and cared for are Cindy Davis, Linda Driscoll, Kimberly Evans, Jennia Updike, Mercedes Baker, Angela Romano, Starr Sloan, Jessica Eidenour, Shannon Akers, Brittany Bledsoe, Cassie Tincher and two foster sons Tiger May and Jacob Barricks. Memorials may be made to Timber Ridge Baptist Church Building Fund, 3234 Timber Ridge Road, Bedford, VA 24523 or Hope Tree Family Services Foster Care Unit (formerly known as VA Baptist Children's Home), P.O. Box 849, Salem, VA 24153 or Bedford Life Saving Crew, P.O. Box 161, Bedford, Virginia 24523. Funeral services will be conducted at Sunday, February 9, 2014 at 2:30 at Timber Ridge Baptist Church, 3234 Timber Ridge Road, Bedford, Virginia with Pastor Phillip Kelly, and Garry Sims officiating. Burial will follow in the Timber Ridge Cemetery. The family will receive friends Saturday, February 8 from 5 pm to 7 pm at Updike Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Bedford.