John Matthew Powell

John Matthew Powell, resident of Columbia, MD, passed away at the age of 39 on Sunday, August 16, 2015 at Gilchrist Hospice Center. He was born on July 20, 1976 in Virginia, to the late Gerald Matthew Powell and Marilyn Arlene Beale.  

John graduated in 1994 from Lakeland High School in Suffolk, VA. He received a Bachelor of Science degree in Food Science and Technology from Virginia Tech University in 1998. John worked at Perdue for 8 years, and recently at Applegate as a Research and Development Manager.

John was a member of the Uprising Church in Salisbury, MD and attended the Cause Church in Elkridge, MD. He enjoyed serving his church, while volunteering at numerous community outreach programs. John spent many hours in his lawn and garden. His favorite pastime was cooking and grilling. He will always be known as a master chef on the grill. He was an avid sports fan and loved watching his favorite teams, the Dallas Cowboys and the Virginia Tech Hokies. 

John is survived by his wife of 16 years Tanisha J. Powell; daughters Kendyll Powell (11) and Autumn Powell (7); siblings Sharon Britt, Gerald, Jacqueline and Tania Powell, Tierra and Tara Ramirez; step-mother Marian Ramirez-Powell; father and mother-in-law Emmett and Vergie Johnson; nieces and nephews; and a host of family and friends. 

The Visitation will be held on Saturday, August 22, 2015 from 11-2 PM at DONALDSON FUNERAL HOME, P.A., 313 Talbott Avenue, Laurel, MD 20707. Following the Visitation, a Celebration of Life will be held at 5 PM at the Bethel Assembly of God, 9001 Vollmerhausen Road, Jessup, MD 20794. A reception will be held immediately after at the Cause Church, 6800 Deer Path Road, Elkridge, MD 21075. 

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the family's fundraising page below.  Please click on the link below.

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