Retirement: Majors Charles and Paula Powell

After serving a combined total of 79 years as active Salvation Army Officers, Majors Charles and Paula Powell were lauded by family and friends at a retirement celebration with the theme, "Great Is His Faithfulness." The key scripture verse for the occasion was drawn from Deuteronomy 7:9—He is the faithful God, keeping His covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love Him and keep His commands.

Colonels Kenneth and Paula Johnson conducted the service of retirement, with (Powell sons) Joshua and Charlie serving as flagbearers.

Other program participants included: Lt. Colonel Dean Hinson, Freda Bullock, Majors Pete and Cathy Costas, Melissa Powell, (Powell grandchildren) Benjamin, Olivia and Judah, and Major Mike Hawley.

Major Paula Powell entered the Evangeline Booth College as a member of the Heralds Of Hope Session. On her Commissioning Sunday in 1983, the announcement of her first appointment came as a surprise to all, as she was sent overseas to Great Britain.

Major Charles Powell entered a year after Paula, as a member of the Servants Of God Session. He was commissioned in June 1984 and sent to Fayetteville, North Carolina.

Paula returned to the Southern Territory and the two lieutenants were married in 1985 in High Point, North Carolina.

Their service to God as corps officers was given entirely in the North and South Carolina Division: Smithfield, Beaufort, Burlington, Durham, Hickory, and Charleston. Staff divisional appointments followed to Maryland-West Virginia, and North and South Carolina. From those they moved to Territorial Headquarters, with Major Charles as territorial legal secretary and Major Paula as assistant women's ministries secretary.

The Powells became divisional leaders back to the Maryland-West Virginia, and later to the Georgia Divisions. Their final two appointments were as area commanders in Birmingham, Alabama, and Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

Their official retirement date is July 1, 2023, and they will make their home in Monroe, Georgia.

— Major Frank Duracher