Charles Everitt Powe, age 81, passed away peacefully at home on September 19, 2024. He

was born in Waynesboro, Mississippi, on December 29, 1942, to George Shaw Powe and Lillian

Hazel Everitt Powe. He was raised around grandparents, a sister, aunts, uncles, and many

cousins and friends in the rural Winchester community.

He attended school in Buckatunna and graduated from Wayne County High School, where he

was class president. He earned bachelor's and master's degrees in agricultural economics at

Mississippi State University and a Ph.D. in agricultural economics from the University of Florida.

While in Florida, he met his wife, the former Sandra Ann Claybrook of Reform, Alabama. The

couple married on May 4, 1974, and they celebrated their 50th anniversary this year.

Charles, or "Charlie" as he was known to many, worked in Washington, D.C., for the U.S.

Department of Agriculture for about three years before he returned to Starkville in 1977 to join

the Mississippi State University faculty in the Department of Agricultural Economics.

In addition to his years at the university, he pursued other skills and interests, working for

several years as an electrical and general contracting assistant. He devoted much time to

learning about forestry and forest management and invested a great deal of his energy into

stewarding the family farm where he was raised in Winchester. He also managed personal

rental property in Starkville.

Charles enjoyed learning and liked to discuss history, science, politics, and other subjects that

piqued his interest. He valued good conversations and quality time with his family and friends. In

addition to living the majority of his life in Starkville, Charles always kept close ties to his native

Wayne County, where he had many relatives and lifelong friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents and his sister, Emma Jean Powe McKee, and brother-

in-law, Dennis McKee. He is survived by his wife, Sandra Powe; son and daughter-in-law, Austin

and Julie Inmon Powe of Hernando; daughter and son-in-law Alexis and Patrik Nordin of

Starkville; and daughter and son-in-law Allison and Todd Matthews of Starkville. He also leaves

one granddaughter, Sarah Matthews; and five grandsons, Samuel Matthews (Hannah), Landon

and Jackson Powe, and Peter and Nicolas Nordin.

Visitation will be held at Freeman Funeral Home in Waynesboro on Saturday, September 21, at

1–2:30 p.m. with a graveside service to follow at 3 p.m. at the Alexander Powe Family Cemetery

in Winchester.