Jeffrey Lee Powell

Jeffrey Lee Powell went home to Jesus on Thursday, May 9, 2024, after suffering an unexpected cerebral hemorrhage on Saturday, May 4. Jeff was beloved by so many. He was characterized by family and friends alike as being a man of humility, kindness, and integrity.

Jeff was born August 14, 1954, in Topeka, Kansas to George Wallace and Sarah Bess Hothan Powell. He graduated from Topeka West High School in 1972 and from Washburn University in 1976 with a BBA in Accounting.

Jeff met the love of his life in high school, Tamara K Weaverling, and they were married on May 31, 1975 at West Side Baptist Church. Jeff served as the CFO of Topeka Savings Association, the CFO of the Mental Health Consortium, and ended his career as the CFO of Meals on Wheels which he felt was a much-needed ministry.

Jeff was saved as a teenager when he heard the gospel with Tammy in her youth group. He was baptized at West Side Baptist Church. He grew to be a leader in his church: treasurer of West Side, an elder at Shawnee Heights Baptist Church, an elder/teacher at Christian Family Fellowship, and the treasurer at Lion & Lamb Church. Jeff grew up playing baseball and was a stellar catcher. As an adult he enjoyed many years playing fast pitch softball with the West Side team.

Jeff designed and built the family's first home with the help of his grandfather who was a carpenter and his father and brother who were brick masons. He was always improving his home and yard, converting garages and expanding their home as more and more children arrived. Family and home were definitely where his heart was and he desired it to be a haven for all of his children. In fact, the name of their homeschool was Fair Havens Academy.

In 1985, he and Tammy made the decision to home-school their nine children, a journey that spanned over three decades, concluding when their youngest graduated in 2017. Jeff loved babies and was never happier than holding one of his grandkids. After he retired, he decided he wanted to have weekly read-aloud sessions with the grandkids. He introduced all of his children and grandchildren to The Chronicles of Narnia, Pilgrim's Progress, Hind's Feet on High Places, Little House on the Prairie, and The Happy Hollisters.

One of Jeff's greatest joys was to treat the family to an annual vacation. It began with trips to Branson and grew to include trips to Copper Mountain, CO, St. George Island, FL,, Gatlinburg,TN, and Myrtle Beach, SC. Eventually he rented a home on St. George Island for a month and the various kids would come with their families for as long as they could. Precious memories!

Jeff faithfully held family devotions called Wisdom Searches every morning before he left for work. His children credit his commitment to this practice in having a profound impact on their spiritual formation. While Jeff was unresponsive in ICU the children held Wisdom Searches with him, reading to him from the Psalms and Proverbs.

Jeff was a faithful father to his children who all will carry on his legacy: Josh (Emily), Jaymie (Casey) Moore, Jenna (Jonathan) Runyan, Joy (Billy) Davenport, Jeriel (Keith) Fine, Joanna (Josh) Powell, Abby (Mike) Peoples, Faith (Dawsyn) Birtell, and Caleb. He relished his role as grandfather to 23 grandchildren: Halleigh, Hayden, & Hunter Powell; Clara, Jackson, & Miriam Moore; Emma, Thomas, Luke, Simon, & Judah Runyan; Liam, Colton, Marshall, Sawyer, & Grayson Davenport; Charley, Paisley, & Wesley Fine; Ellie, Ivy, & Gideon Powell; and Milo Peoples.

Jeff is survived by his siblings Kathy Andler, Keith (Dianne) Powell, Mike (Karon) Powell, Ruby (Rod) Bunde, as well as his father-in-law Darrell Weaverling, brother-in-law Kurt (Melissa) Weaverling, and sister-in-law Amy (Mike) Swickard. He also leaves an aunt, numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews whom he loved.

Jeff was preceded to glory by his parents, George & Sally Powell, mother-in-law Shirley Weaverling, brother-in-law Greg Andler, nephew Noah Keith Swickard, and niece Amanda Weaverling Olinger.

A Celebration of Jeff's life will be held at Topeka Baptist Church, 4500 SW Gage Blvd, Topeka on Friday, May 31, 2024 at 2:00 pm.

Gifts in memory of Jeff may be made to the Topeka Rescue Mission, 600 N Kansas Ave, Topeka, KS 66608.