Luther P. Powell

HOT SPRINGS VILLAGE — Luther Pershing Powell, of Hot Springs Village, Ark., lived a full and meaningful life for

102 years (Nov. 2, 1918 - Dec. 18,

2020), before going home to be with his Lord and Savior.

He was born in Clarksville, Texas, to William R. and Sarah S. Powell and moved with his family to Port Arthur at the age of 6. “Luke” graduated from Thomas Jefferson High School, where he was senior class president and starting quarterback for the football team.

It was in Port Arthur that Luther met his future wife, Martha Maurine Coleman. They married in 1939 and moved to Houston, where he was employed by Peden Iron & Steel. Luther served his country from October 1943 through February 1946 in the U.S. Army, traveling to New Guinea, the Philippine Islands and Japan.

When World War II ended, he returned to Houston, resumed work with Peden for another 30 years, then spent the final 10 years of his working career with Coastal Fastener, before retiring and moving with Maurine to Hot Springs Village in 1986.

They embraced retirement, enjoying the change of pace from Houston, establishing many deep friendships with their neighbors and through their active membership at Barcelona Road Baptist Church. Always a strong Christian, a man of God, Luther served as a deacon at the church, as he had also done for many years at Park Memorial Baptist in Houston. Second only to his commitment to God was his love and commitment to his family.

In recent years, he volunteered at the Jackson House community crisis center in Hot Springs and stayed physically active at the Coronado Fitness Center. He also had the unique opportunity to share his WWII experiences with high school history students. In 2015, he received the Fox Ridge Full of Life Award from KATV Little Rock for his zest for life and commitment to his community.

As a devoted lifelong Houston baseball fan, he was especially delighted when the Astros won the 2017 World Series Championship.

He is survived by his daughters — Sandra Stokley (husband Gary) and Nancy Henderson ( husband Jay); grandsons — Marty Stokley (wife Rhonda) and Ryan Cook (fiance Angela Uy and her son Zander); great- granddaughters — Sloane Stokley and Caroline Stokley; as well as several nieces and nephews.

The family would like to express their appreciation to Luther’s caregivers from Right at Home, Elite Home Health and Elite Hospice.

A private graveside service will be held on today, Dec. 22, at CedarVale Cemetery in Hot Springs Village.