ALAPAHA — Rufus Powell, 82, of Alapaha died Monday, Oct. 26, 2009 at Berrien County Hospital. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday at Alapaha United Methodist Church with the Rev. Bruce Vaughn and the Rev. Willie Heath officiating. Burial will follow at Fletcher Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 7 to 9 tonight at Lovein Funeral Home in Nashville.

Mr. Powell was born March 19, 1927 in Colquitt County to the late Dave Powell and Hattie Bell Green. He was also preceded in death by his wife, Lucy Hendley Powell, who died in 1999; three brothers; and two sisters. He was a retired rural mail carrier and a member of Alapaha United Methodist Church and charter member of Alapaha Lions Club. He had served in the Army.

Mr. Powell is survived by his daughter and son-in-law, Millie and Louis Sutton of Dublin; sons and daughters-in-law, David and Gail Powell of Alapaha and Keith and Janet Powell of Nashville; grandchildren and their spouses, Heather and Jeremy Speich, Ryan and Raquel Powell, Kristin Powell, Christopher Sutton and Andrew Sutton; and his sister, Winnie Dorsey of Norman Park.

The family wishes to express their sincere thanks to the Sunday Men’s Breakfast Club. Flowers will be accepted or memorials may be made to the Alapaha United Methodist Church. Lovein Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.