Charles C. Powell
December 5, 1942 to September 5, 2021
Charles Clifford Powell, 78, of Secretary, died at his home on September 5th, leaving behind a lifetime of laughter, love, and service.
Charlie was a force of nature. Words are truly not adequate to describe his big personality and love of life. Quick with a story and an infectious sense of humor, Charlie kept everyone around him smiling -- even if it was a smile from how heartily he chuckled at his own jokes!
He was born on December 5, 1942 in Blandburg, Pennsylvania. Family lore says he was an early baby and spent his first days in the oven. He often joked he was “half baked”!
He graduated from North Dorchester High School in 1960 and then attended Wesley College in Dover, DE, graduating in 1962. The faculty breathed a sigh of relief at his graduation!
In addition to his hobby of collecting jokes to add to his repertoire, Charlie was an avid pilot. At one point he had more hours in a Piper Malibu than anyone in the world. He and his wife, Kathy, enjoyed attending the Malibu fly-ins, and they chose Marathon, Florida as their winter home mainly because there was an airport there. People have said it was much safer to fly with Charlie than to ride in a car with him!
Charlie started a number of businesses over the course of his life. In the 1960’s, he opened “Charlie’s Place,” a bar and tavern (remember the pizza and go go girls) that continues to operate today as Johnny’s Tavern. In the early 1970’s, Charlie got his real estate license. “The Land Man” (his CB radio moniker) began his career with Dashiell Realtors before working with Dorchester Realty. In 1975, Charlie started Powell Realtors, a business that continues to flourish today from the strong foundation he built.
His life was a full circle: while he began his business career with a bar and tavern, Charlie spent the majority of his life helping support those in recovery. September 23, 1974 was one of the most important days of his life: the day he began his own sobriety journey. He would have celebrated 47 years of sobriety this month.
Charlie lived and breathed AA, even earning the nickname “Mr. AA”. Mr. AA was anything but anonymous: for years, if you needed help, you were told to “Call Charlie.” He shared the gift of sobriety with thousands of individuals. In addition, Charlie started numerous treatment facilities for adults and children in Maryland, Pennsylvania, Texas, and North Carolina, including Warwick Manor, Cove Forge, Right Turn, New Beginnings, and Morningstar. This was truly his life’s calling and God’s purpose for his life.
He is survived by his wife of 31 years, Kathleen Reynolds Powell; son, Jeff Powell (Debbie); daughters Brinton Fickett and Valerie Brown (Jeff); grandchildren, Elizabeth, Chase, Jonathan, and Caroline Powell, Lyndsey Brown, Bayley Covey (Trey) and Allye Toomey (Connor); five great children with another on the way; his brother, Ed Powell (Nancy), and his sister, Gloria (Art); much loved nieces and nephews; his doggie, Schatzie; and hundred of best friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Charles Edward Powell and Anna Mary Yingling Powell; his brothers, Jack, Jake, Ab, Russ, and Bobby; his sister, Ginny; and his first wife, Beverly Foxwell Powell.
It Was a Joy to Know Charlie
Services
Visitation - Thursday September 9
1-3PM , 5-7PM
Friday September 10
12PM-1PM
Service - Friday September 10
1PM
East New Market Firehouse
Reception to follow at Suicide Bridge Restaurant
Charlie's Place Foundation
In order to continue Charlie's mission, the family has established "Charlie's Place," a foundation to provide scholarship money to those needing help with addiction. Donations can be mailed
c/o Rob Collison
311 High Street
Cambridge, MD 21613
Thank you God for sending your servant Charles Powell. His work of earth is finished. He will be sorely missed. He touched so many lives and for this we are so grateful. May he fly high and Rest In Peace.
Love Sharon and Mark Hughes
Charlie was a good friend for almost 30 yeas. We shared a love of bad jokes and helping others. Charlie will be a big part of my life that will be missed very much. I will miss our weekly calls and joke time.
Daniel Beall
Just a very nice man🧡❤
Philicia Drayton
You saved my life and will always be near and dear to my heart! Rest easy my friend for a life well lived!
Meyer Slacum
I love Charlie His selflessness was exhibited in all that he did He saved my life What else is there to say Till we meet again old friend
Will Jenkins
Mr. Powell was always smiling and never met a stranger. He was an inspiration to so many and will truly be missed by family and friends. God bless his family in this difficult time of grieving. We will all celebrate his life and accomplishments. Here's to a life well lived
Denise Walls
Most fun that I ever had on a tennis court was playing with Charlie!!😢
Phyllis Smith
A man who truly earned his wings. He was a true character in Dorchester county and his message of caring and kindness touched many lives. He was a gift to our community
Lynn Stavdal
may have been the funniest man I ever met.
played in a tennis league together, best part of the night wasn't the tennis, it was Charlie
Edward Meredith
A forever friend
Had a long visit with him just last week that started with … got to tell you this Nance because you know what I’m talking about … and for 45 min we solved the problems of the world . Fred and my life with him, Beverly and most recent years with Kathy have been a fond journey…. Shall never forget his smile and generous gestures … love to all the family❤️
Nancy Travers Collins
Another Secretary Icon Has Moved On
Will always be remembered and missed........
Donald V Lord
It was my pleasure to call Charlie Powell my Friend !
Christopher Luongo
Charlie is a big part of one of my most fondest memories. It's a long story but to shave it down - my brother and father arranged with Charlie to fly myself and brother to West Virginia for my bachelor party. I had no clue this was going on. Matt and I were in Cindy's one morning grabbing breakfast and Charlie stops at our table and asked if we wanted to fly to west Virginia to deliver some peaches. If you know Charlie this doesn't seem too terribly unusual. I have a great love for aviation and was thrilled to go flying with him in his Malibu. Wow, what a pilot. We flew "over speed" (atleast that's what the plane kept saying during flight!) I was flying copilot so watching the instruments I knew we were weaving through mountains in our decent - it was thick cloud cover. We popped out of the clouds just at the runway. It was a real thrill. Mr Delmas said if we were with anyone else we would be dead! I'll always remember his happy nature, smile and voice. And his Malibu always in and out of CGE.
Wesley Meredith
Charlie helped me & countless others on our road to recovery! I worked for Charlie at Right Turn, shared many rides from Eastern shore to Baltimore, which was an experience! His wit & wisdom will live on!❤️
Helen Johns
So sorry to hear this. He was such a great man and always asked me about my Dad. Prayers to all of his family.
Jacqueline Blake
all heart with a twinkle in his eye.
Charlie cared for so many and loved his friends and family and especially Kathy. He was quick to make us all smile with an off color joke or just a hug. R.I.P. Charlie your memory lives with all you touched.
Skip and Barbara Watson
Rest in Peace Sir
Mark Stivers
Sweetest Guy In The World
Walt & I loved everything about Charlie! We went to many Malibu conventions over the years & the laughter he brought to the group was unbelievable! I personally loved playing with & against him at his court in Secretary! Shared lots of jokes & always enjoyed his calls, knowing he had another crazy story to tell me, sometimes they were true & other times just full of bull s—t !! Loved this man & will miss him terribly! Such a giving soul! That mold is broken now! Our thoughts & prayers go out to Kathy & the entire family!!
Dale and Walt Messick
Thank you Charlie!
Super big hearted, Charlie, kept me coming back and I still have it. So much love and joy from this wonderful man.
Charles Roveti
One of a kind. Live life to his fullest. What a great friend . Played Music in the 60's every night for him. The bar business was not good for him. He was a people person and took care of everyone that came in for a drink , with money or without money. He was just that kind of guys. e talked often like every week. He paid our band to play at his class reunion at the VFW in the 60's. One of the great persons" one you meet in a lifetime
unknown
I will always remember the first time I met Charlie and Kathy. They took us on their private plane to Atlantic City!! There was no end to Charlie's sense of humor & generosity that entire weekend that we spent together. Needless to say, I loved them immediately & Kathy soon became one of my favorite people & a great friend.. I got to spend many small vacations with her and Charlie in Marathon & with Kathy in Delray Beach, my home town of Ocean City & Cambridge over the years. Knowing them both for over 15 years now, John Persico, since he was 15, I will always be forever grateful to have known him & we will continue to keep Kathy in our lives always.. Charlie, later became John's life AA sponsor. Oh the stories too many to tell today....but we will never forget you Charlie Powell! You made a life long impression on me, "you know what I mean"!! ( Charlies famous last words in every conversation ) We will miss you terribly Charlie. Xxoo John Persico & Dina P.
Dina Paglierani
RIP Charlie. You helped me and so many others
Wanda Mairose
Charlie was a great man!! My dad knew him, as he’s helped many of my friends and family!! RIP!!💜
Cherie Franz
Charlie invited me to stay on his house boat while fishing with my brother Dave he was a wonderful person made you feel like you were at home
Sam Nickerson
Charlie took me on a plane ride when I was 5yrs sober. Never been in a plane in my life. We got ready to land about 50ft from the ground he said have you got her now. My heart went in my throat lol. He was a jokester but he was serious about sobriety. R.I.P. my friend you will be missed
Sonny Travers
It was a highlight of our time in the Keys to know Charlie and Kathy. Many road trips, fun times, crazy jokes, visiting with Charlie on his "rounds" with all the folks that he loved and visa versa. The amazing 4th of July's we attended. Rest in peace!
Robert Grote
Charlie Powell saved my life along with my higher power. I will forever miss and love him. Thank you Charlie. May GOD rest your soul..🎨
George Wright
Charlie was a gift to many many people, including myself. I could never repay him for all the kindness he showed me early in my sobriety, and through the years. He always showed concern for me personally, from 1992 until I last talked with him just last week.
Rick Ware
R.I.P. Charlie. You now have Peace that passeth all understanding I will miss you greatly. Thanks for all you taught me
Janet Lee Messick
You will never be forgotten my friend. You have touched so many people in so many ways. Your name will carry on in stories and bad jokes by those whom respected and loved you. I will never forget you.
Laurie Hoffman
What a gem. Al and Charlie really "got" each other. He was tireless in his efforts to help people and he leaves this life as a legend