Jesse Tilden Powlus

Jesse Tilden Powlus, age 87, passed away peacefully, surrounded by family, on January 12, 2017 at Blount Memorial Hospital. Born August 19, 1929 in Philadelphia, PA, he is preceded in death by his parents, Jesse and Dorothy Adams Powlus, and his brothers, James and Elwood. A computer and communications specialist, Mr. Powlus served 20 years in the Air Force during the Korean and Vietnam Wars. His tours of duty included several locations in Europe as well as the Philippines, Greenland and Alaska. He was involved in the Berlin Air Lift and, because of his special expertise, also worked with federal agencies involved in national security at several locations in the U.S. during the Cold War. Following his retirement from the military, he started a second career at Alcoa Aluminum as a computer technical specialist, retiring again in 1992 after 24 years with the company. A music enthusiast, Jesse was a member of the choir at Pecks Memorial United Methodist for 45 years. He also sang with the Maryville College Community Choir for several years, including a Memorial Day performance at Carnegie Hall in New York City. His other hobbies included gardening and fishing. A loving husband and father, Mr. Powlus is survived by his beloved wife of more than 65 years, Alleen Gormley Powlus, daughter and son-in-law Sonja and Cleavy Bates of Walland, TN and daughter Celeste Powlus Stinson of Chatham, NJ. His three grandchildren include Russell (Brooks) Haislip of Charlotte, NC, and Shelby and Lindsey Stinson of Chatham, NJ. He had one great grandson, Tilden Mack Haislip, of Charlotte, NC. Additional survivors include his three sisters, Dorothy (Zane) Edwards, Danville, PA; Gladys (John) Gavlick, Berwick, PA; and Joann (Dennis) Tuza, Myrtle Beach, SC. The family will receive friends on Sunday, Jan. 15 at 1:30 at Pecks Memorial United Methodist Church with the funeral to follow at 2:30. Services will be conducted by the Rev. John Thierbach and the Rev. Jerry Paige. After the service, Mr. Powlus will be laid to rest in the church cemetery. Pallbearers will be: Erick Henry, Russell Haislip, Cleavy Bates, Nate Milligan, Ron Kiser, Chris Weddig. Honorary Pallbearers will be: Jimmy Dodd, Bill Finch, and Coy Caldwell. Memorial donations may be made to: Alzheimer’s Tennessee Inc. 5801 Kingston Pike, Knoxville, TN 37919. Smith Funeral and Cremation Service, Maryville, 865-983-1000, www.SmithFuneralandCremation.com. To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Jesse Tilden Powlus please visit our Sympathy Store.