Eleanor Powell

Eleanor Greenwood Powell, 90, was born to Joseph Gordon Greenwood and Martha Frances King Greenwood on July 11, 1930.  She graduated from Mount Airy High School in 1948.  At 17, she interned at The Mount Airy News and became a full-time writer.  After several months, she had “printer’s ink” in her blood and remained on staff for 52 years, retiring at the age of 82.  During her career, she captured state awards from the North Carolina Working Press Association, the North Carolina State Food and Nutrition program, the North Carolina Lions, and others.  As the News Lifestyle Editor, she produced the weekly edition of Surry Scene, wrote a weekly food column as well as the Annual Holiday Cookbook, and headed the social section that included weddings, engagements, anniversaries, birth announcements, and the” happy” parts of the publication.  A 20-year member of the Garden Writers of America, she reported about gardening events and educational seminars that she attended in the United States and Canada.  A 60-year charter life member of Modern Gardeners Garden Club, she and Katherine Parries decided in 1955 that they would organize a garden club for young mothers who were interested in gardening and flower arranging.  Eleanor served as club president, vice president, and as the chairman of the publicity committee.  Eleanor and Katherine planted a plot of marigolds on North Main Street in the 1970s, an area that is now known as Modern Gardeners Mini Garden.  In 2020, the club dedicated a bench in her honor at the Pollinator Garden on South Main Street.  Eleanor was appointed by the mayor to the board of the Mount Airy Appearance Commission.  She also served as a board member of the Mount Airy Restoration Foundation, Home Health Care, the Surry County Health Department, and the Mount Airy Sports Hall of Fame.  Above all, she was a lifelong member of Central United Methodist Church.  Her name was placed on the cradle roll at birth, and she joined the church at age 12.  She taught Sunday school and served on the Church Council as chairman of communications.  Eleanor was married to Joe “Pete” Powell for 30 years.  He was a flight instructor at Piedmont Aviation and was the wholesale manager for Piper Aircraft.  He died in 1979 at the age of 52.  They traveled to every state, including Puerto Rico, the Philippines, Canada, Mexico, South America, and Europe.  Surviving are her husband, Clarence James Hines; her children, Kathy Powell Smith and her husband, Chuck, of Jamestown, Linda Kay Powell of Bermuda Run, and Joseph Garland Powell of Jamestown.  Also surviving are three grandsons, Joseph Pete Smith of Greensboro, Chad Powell Smith and his wife, Maria, of Clayton, and Dr. Nicklaus Powell Ashburn and his wife, Kate, of Winston-Salem; along with her great-grandson, Reed Castle Smith of Greensboro; and her great-granddaughter, Makenzie Rose Smith of Clayton.  Her sisters-in-law, Joyce Greenwood of Winston-Salem and Margaret Powell Biesecker of Lexington survive her.  Preceding her in death were her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Gordon Greenwood; her husband, Joe “Pete” Powell and their infant daughter, Dara Ellen Powell; her sister, Estelle Greenwood Belton; two brothers, Oscar Wayne Greenwood and Thomas Jackson Greenwood; two sisters-in-law, Sarah Greenwood and Edna Powell; three brothers-in-law, Clarence Belton, Don Biesecker, and Tom Powell; a nephew, Todd Greenwood; and a niece, Judi Greenwood.  Survivors also include many, loving nieces and nephews.  Eleanor’s funeral service will be held at Central United Methodist Church, 1909 North Main Street, Mount Airy, on Wednesday May 19, 2021, at 2:00 PM with the Rev. Danny Miller and the Rev. Kennette Thomas officiating.  Burial will follow at Oakdale Cemetery.  The family will receive friends from 1:00 PM until the hour of the service in the lobby adjacent to the Family Life Center of the church.  Due to public health concerns, attendees are requested to wear a mask and practice social distancing.  Memorial contributions may be made to Central United Methodist Church, 1909 North Main Street, Mount Airy, NC  27030; Modern Gardeners Garden Club, in care of Ann Yokeley at 132 Greystone Lane, Mount Airy, NC  27030; or Mountain Valley Hospice and Palliative Care, Yadkinville Office, 243 North Lee Avenue, Yadkinville, NC  27055.  The family expresses gratitude to the staff at Greystone at Bermuda Village and to the physicians and care teams at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center.  Moody Funeral Services in Mount Airy is serving the family. To send flowers to Eleanor's family, please visit our floral store.