Willie Ray Powell

Brother Willie Ray Powell, affectionally known as “Ray”, was born on January 30, 1955, to Willie Richard and Louise Lambert-Powell in Camden, Arkansas.

In 1956 Ray and his family moved to Omaha, Nebraska. Ray was educated in the Omaha Public Schools, graduating from North High School in 1973. Ray was a member of the St. Paul Baptist Church when he lived in Omaha.

In 1978, Ray moved to Rockford, Illinois and remained there until 1980, when he moved to Kansas City, Missouri. Ray worked at Faith Mission Church, American Building Maintenance, and for the past 19 years at St. Charles Borromeo Academy.

Ray was a member of Faith Mission Church of God in Christ under the leadership of his late Uncle, Elder Hubert Lambert, Sr. and a current member of Calvary Chapel Church of God in Christ, Elder Harold Molden, Sr. Everyone at St. Charles Borromeo Academy and Calvary Chapel Church will miss his kind heart and smile.

Ray will be missed dearly by his family. He will be remembered for the loving heart he shared with his family and friends. He truly loved each of them, and if you knew him, you knew it. Ray enjoyed watching westerns on Saturdays, ESPN, reading the KC Star daily, and he was Pittsburgh Steelers fan, but he rooted for the Superbowl winning Kansas City Chiefs.

Ray departed this life and went home to be with his Lord and Savior on June 10, 2023. He leaves to cherish his memories, Daughter; Shanekia R. Martin (Justin Patrick) of Aurora, CO; Daughter; Anita L. Thomas (Jermetre English Sr.) of Omaha, NE; Son; Ray S. Thomas Sr. (Teresa Ann Mountain) of Omaha, NE, and Daughter; Marlene J. Martin (Anthony Wright) of Aurora, CO. 15 grandkids Cha’Sha, Jermetra, Briana, Marquis, Monaee' (Anthony Byndum), Jermetre, Mikaeyla, Mar'Che,' Ray, Jr., Ma'Taiya' Jaquez, Darnell, K’Lise, Mi'Oni' and Anthony Jr. 5 great-great grandchildren Khy’Marri, J’Mauri, K’Ommi, Au’Brielle, and Kali  2 brothers: Ronnie W. Powell, Omaha, NE and Elder Dennis L. (Missionary Deborah) Powell, Sr., Kansas City, MO and 1 sister, Anita Louise (Rev. M.A.) Bean of Kansas City, MO., Aunts, Missionary Everlena Johnson, Mother Rose Merry Lambert, Teresa Ware, Josephine Winston, and Rev. Alice F. Carruthers. and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, St. Charles Borromeo Academy and Calvary Chapel Church.

Preceding Ray in death were his parents Willie Richard and Louise Lambert-Powell, grandson Marcelis L. Bishop, Maternal grandparents Hughie and Lena Lambert, Paternal Grandparents Jack and Stella Jones and Hurtis and Nancy Powell. Uncles, Aunts, and Cousins.