Marie Earle Powell

Marie Earle W. Powell, 80, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, September 17, 2025. She was born on April 23, 1945 in Jackson, AL to the late Harold Wilson Wilder and Marie Earle Wilder (Chapman). She is survived by her husband, Joseph W. Powell, II; her son Jay Paulding; her daughter Leiland Morton (Jason); and grandchildren Declan Paulding, Jackson Morton and Wilson Morton. Earle studied Elementary Education at Columbia College in Columbia, SC. Her first position was teaching second grade on post at Fort Benning in Columbus, GA before becoming a mother. Once her children were old enough, Earle returned to work as a sales associate at Abraham & Strauss department store, ultimately getting back into education at Upper Merion Area School District. In 1993, she returned to Columbus, GA to be closer to her parents and secured a teaching position with the Muscogee County School District before retiring in 2004. Earle had a lovely soprano voice which was often featured at the Christmas Cantata at Port Kennedy Presbyterian Church in Valley Forge, PA. Upon moving to Columbus, GA she also sang with the choirs at First Presbyterian and All Saints Presbyterian churches. Earle loved to read, spending a lot of time at Wolfsohn Memorial Library picking out her next book. She enjoyed long walks in Valley Forge National Park taking in all the lovely landscape and the occasional deer that would venture out of the woods. Once in Columbus, she continued her love of walking at Weracoba Park, right across the street from where she went to high school. During her time in King of Prussia, PA, she was an active member in the Parent Teacher Associations for both Candlebrook Elementary and Upper Merion Area Middle School and served as a Girl Scout leader for many years. She was an active member of the Newcomers Club and helped to start the Child Watch program. Earle also participated in a Women's Bowling league with her friends at King of Prussia Lanes. After moving to Columbus, GA, Earle continued being active within the community. She served as a Stephen Minister at First Presbyterian Church and could frequently be found at the church filling sack lunches for the homeless. She was also a member of the local Red Hat Society and loved getting together with other women to talk and eat. Along with her daughter, Earle became an Alumni Initiate of Phi Mu Fraternity at Columbus State University, making them not only mother and daughter, but sisters. Earle will most be remembered for her outgoing personality and her kind, giving heart. It was always said that she never met a stranger, she could make friends with the person in front of her in line at the grocery store or get off a plane with the life story of the person sitting next to her. Following church services, it wasn't uncommon to find her engaged in conversation with other congregation members long after the parking lot had emptied. Her warmth and compassion made her the ultimate hostess and Mom to all. A memorial service will be held at a later date in Columbus, GA. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Earle's name to the Parkinson's Foundation or the Paws Humane Society of Columbus, GA.

Marie Earle Powell

April 23, 1945 - September 17, 2025