Edward Oliver Powers

SHREVEPORT, LA - A strong, courageous man of quiet intellect died on May 19, 2017 after a six month battle with lung cancer. Ed Powers was born in Savannah, Georgia on October 5, 1936. Ed's father was a forester and thus moved to several small south Georgia towns, ultimately settling in Tifton, where Ed grew up. Ed graduated from Tifton High School and then served in the Army for several years, primarily in Germany. He studied electrical and industrial engineering at Georgia Tech. Ed was soon employed by General Motors in Atlanta as a line supervisor and production planner. After 20 years, his Lakewood plant closed, and he transferred to the new Shreveport facility, where he retired after another 20 years. Ed met his wife, Rebecca (Becky) through mutual friends, and they had 53 happy, fun-filled years together. Their favorite activity was square and round dancing and sharing good times with friends. Ed was a member of the Southern Swingers Square Dance Club and Red River Rounders. Ed's faith and church, Christ United Methodist, were of great importance to him. They sustained him through the tough times in his illness. He loved his Vista Sunday School class and other church friends. Ed was a computer whiz and a "Mr. Fix-It". He loved the challenge of putting things back together and could frequently be found repairing the family cars or restoring some worn household item to service. Ed was preceded in death by his parents, Ed and Frances Powers. He is survived by the love of his life, wife Rebecca Powers; three children, daughter, Andrea Powers and husband, Scott Maxfield, daughter, Teresa Powers and partner, Jody Paris, and son, Robert Powers and wife, Shatha; one grandson, Zachary Edward Maxfield; two brothers, Rev. David Powers and wife, Celeste, and Richard Powers; 3 nieces and 3 nephews. Our thanks go to Drs. Kirtan Koticha and Robert Holliday for their kindness and care, and also to the wonderful nurses on the Progressive Care floor at Christus Highland. A celebration memorial service will be held at Christ Methodist Church, Thursday, May 25, 2017, at 10:30 a.m. A reception will immediately follow the service. Pallbearers honoring Ed will be John Marrs, Don Corliss, Harold Sater, Frank Ciccarella, Jimmy Draper, and Terry Siegele. Honorary pallbearers will be Joe Carroll, Vernon Rich, Tony Tuminello, Richard Gust, Joe Ponseigo, and Jim Frederick. Memorials may be made to Christ United Methodist Church or a charity of choice.