Clarence Leslie Powell Sr., 86, died Jan. 7, 2004, at Westminster Canterbury.

Born May 8, 1917, in Boykins, he was the son of the late Grover Lee and Maggie Lee Hines Powell.

Mr. Powell retired in 1975 as Postmaster of the Suffolk Post Office after 31 years of service. He was a very active member of Oxford United Methodist Church in Suffolk for many years and an associate member of Baylake United Methodist Church in Virginia Beach. He served his country during WWII in the Army Air Force.

Survivors include his wife, Harriet Eley Powell; sons, Dr. Clarence L. Powell Jr. and wife of Franklin; W. Lee Powell and wife of Nottingham, England; and Lynn E. Powell and wife of Franklin; grandchildren, Meredith, Griffin, Bryce, and Jonathan; and sisters, Catherine Gayle of Virginia Beach and Ruth Paine of Manchester, Conn.

The graveside service will be held at 11 a.m. Friday in Cedar Hill Cemetery, Suffolk, by the Reverands Jonathan Bennett and John Shappell. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Oxford United Methodist Church, 601 W. Washington St., Suffolk, Virginia, 23434. R.W. Baker & Co. Funeral

Home & Crematory is serving the family.