James ”Clatie” Powell Sr., 1924-2009

James ”Clatie” Powell Sr., 85, of Maryville, Tenn., passed away Saturday, Sept. 12, 2009 at Blount Memorial Hospital.  The Powells moved to Shannondale from Millersville, Md.  They came because of their love for East Tennessee.  They had lived here earlier in their marriage.  James Clatie married Betty Jean Wiggins in 1948.  Clatie enjoyed gardening and ”grandfathering” and was involved in supervising the family farm that produces timber in Pheba, Miss.  Clatie was a member of Baldwin United Methodist Church, Millersville, Md.  Clatie was born in Pheba, Miss.  He was raised on a farm north of Starkville, Miss. and west of West Point, Miss.  Clatie attended the public schools of Pheba, Miss.  He graduated as a Soil Scientist from Miss. State Univ. with honors, Alpha Zeta, after serving as a lieutenant in the armed forces.  He received the Purple Heart Medal while serving in the Infantry during World War II.  His master’s degree was from the Univ. of Tenn.  Clatie began his employment with the Mississippi Agricultural Experiment Station in Starkville, Miss.  He began his employment with the Soil Conservation Service in Knoxville, Tenn., after which he was transferred to Athens, Ga. as Assistant State Soil Scientist.  After four years he was transferred to Washington, D.C. as a specialist in Soil Survey Manuscripts.  He received many awards for his leadership and service.  He was preceded in death by his father and mother, James Walter and Birdie Foster Powell; and sister, Melba.  Survivors include wife of 61 years, Betty W. Powell; son and daughter-in-law, James Clatie Jr. and Rosemary Powell; daughter and son-in-law, Pamela and William Gerolstein; grandchildren, Paul Powell, Michael Powell, Christie Gerolstein, and Amanda Gerolstein.  Funeral services will be 2 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 16, 2009 at McCammon-Ammons-Click Chapel.  The family will receive friends 1-2 p.m. Wednesday at McCammon-Ammons-Click Funeral Home, Maryville, Tenn.