Thomas J. “Buddy” Powell Died Friday, Oct. 21, 2011, at his vacation home in Mountain View, Ark. He was 76.

Mr. Powell was born in Phoenix, Miss., and had been a Vicksburg resident most of his life.

He was the son of the late Ruzy Lester Powell and Myrtle Lee Powell. He served in the Army retiring as Sergeant First Class with 21 years of service.  He served in Vietnam and received the Purple Heart for wounds suffered during service in 1968.

He was a machinist for the 3M Company before his retirement. He was a member of the Bolton Masonic Lodge No. 316 where he was a Master Mason, and a member of the Acacia Chapter No. 56 of the Order of the Eastern Star where he was serving a Worthy Grand Patron. He also was a member of the Wahabi Shriners of Jackson, the Grand York Rite Bodies of Mississippi, Veterans of Foreign Wars and a life member of the Purple Heart Hill City Chapter No. 680.

He was a member of Bradleys Chapel United Methodist Church.

He is survived by his wife, Hilda Faye Hearn Powell of Vicksburg; two sons, Jacob W. Powell of Brandon, and Nelson Exell Hearn of Vicksburg; a daughter, Dee Dee Brinkley of Vicksburg; a brother, James Powell of Phoenix, Miss.; and 10 grandchildren

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a daughter, Lisa Collins, and two sisters, Dot Tomko and Tressie Smith.

Services will be Tuesday at 10 a.m. at Riles Funeral Home Chapel with the Revs. Bobby Polk and George Butler officiating. Burial will be at Cedar Hill Cemetery with full military honors and Masonic services. Visitation will be Monday from 5 p.m.to 7 p.m. at Riles Funeral Home. 

Memorials may be made to Bradleys Chapel United Methodist Church, care of Corrine Pugh, 82330 Oak Ridge Road, Vicksburg, MS 39183, and to the Military Order of the Purple Heart, Hill City Chapter 680, 170 Beechwood Road, Vicksburg, MS 39183.