Robert F. Powers

Robert ‘Rocky’ F. Powers, 89, passed away peacefully in Greenwood on Tuesday, November 17, 2020 with his daughters by his side. A memorial service will be held 3:00 P.M. Saturday, December 5 at First Presbyterian Church in Greenwood. 

Rocky was born in Vicksburg, on September 8, 1931 to George Bryant Powers and Ruth Allums Powers. After graduating high-school, he joined the Air Force and became a sergeant, serving in the Korean War. Once the war concluded, he enrolled at Ole Miss, where he was an active member of Kappa Alpha for over 50 years. While in attendance, he met and married Elizabeth Ann Carr of Tupelo, and upon graduation, they settled in Greenwood. He was employed at Staplcotn from 1956-1976, where he began a career with Zurn Industries (now Balkamp) and retired in 1995. While working for Zurn, he traveled extensively throughout the US. He was the Project Manager for each construction site, where his crews were responsible for building the cooling tower division for nuclear power plants. At the time of his retirement, he was in Tampa FL, which was the headquarters for Zurn Industries.

Rocky’s past affiliations in Greenwood include being a longtime active member of First Presbyterian Church, where he served as an Elder, and until his death, he was actively involved in the Friday morning men’s prayer breakfast, and the men’s Sunday School Class. He was a past member of the local Kiwanis Club. Rocky’s involvement in the community was extensive (Pann made sure of that). He was involved in the Community Food Pantry/ United Way from 1995-2010. He became the construction coordinator for what began as Greenwood’s Habitat for Humanity, now the Fuller Center for Housing from 1996-2017. He was responsible for providing 23 homes to joyful recipients. Rocky was given multiple awards for serving as Ambassador of the Year for the Greenwood-Leflore County Chamber of Commerce, he received the community service award from Shiloh 7th Day Adventist Church in 2009, as well as Commendation of Appreciation in 2017 from Father Flanagan’s Boys’ Home for the children of Boys’ Town.

Rocky was quite the golfer in his younger days. He loved meeting friends for a round at Greenwood Country Club and after at the 19th hole for a cold beer. He and Pann never missed the chance to dance til dawn at the Country Clubs “Young at Hearts” events held four times a year.

He considered spending time with family and friends a great blessing. Rocky had a way of making people feel at ease because of his genuine ‘Kind’ demeanor and his unlimited willingness to help those less fortunate. Greenwood was a better place for his many unselfish contributions. He will be sorely missed by all who were fortunate to know him and love him, including his faithful Beagle, Bella.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Pann, and a nephew, Gary Carr of Monroe, LA. Left to cherish his memory are his daughters’ Libby Carroll (Carter) from Hattiesburg, Debby Powers of Greenwood, known as ‘Bop Bop’ to granddaughter Katie Carroll of Hattiesburg, grandson and namesake, Rob Carroll (Rockie) of Purvis, 3 great-granddaughters, Audria, Riley and Avery, nephew Ronald Carr (Cheryl) and niece, Linda Ann Carr of Monroe, LA.

The family would like to extend special admiration to Dr. Michael Boler, personal physician, Dr. Rachael Faught, and the day and night shift nurses in ICU at Greenwood Leflore Hospital, Lizzie, Meaghan and Maureen.

Memorials can be made to: St. Jude, ASPCA, VFW, Fuller Center for Housing or First Presbyterian Church.     

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