ROGER POWERS, 78 years of age of Grundy, passed away Wednesday, December 19, 2012 at his home. Born in Richlands, VA, September 9, 1934, he was the son of the late N.K. and Myrtle Jackson Powers. He moved from Haysi, VA, to Grundy, VA, in 1944 and attended the Grundy High School and the University of Richmond, playing basketball for both schools. While serving in the United States Army, he represented Fork Jackson Army Base on the Basketball and Golf Teams. Mr. Powers was a member of the Boy Scouts of America, a Kentucky Colonial, a lifetime member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon Fraternity and a member of the Sons of Italy in Bluefield, WV. Roger was a Charter member of the Willowbrook Country Club, Grundy, VA, where he served on the Board and Past President and was also a founding member of the Olde Farm Golf Club, Bristol, VA.

He was a member of Sandy Valley Lodge No 17 in Grundy, VA, a 32^nd Degree Mason, Roanoke, VA, and a member of Kazim Shrine Temple, Roanoke, VA, where he recently received his 50-year pin. He also was a member of the Grundy Lions Club with 46-years of perfect attendance, serving as Zone Chairman, Deputy District Governor, Governor of District 24F and was the recipient of the Melvin Jones Fellows of the Lions International. A member of the Grundy United Methodist Church, he was a Sunday School teacher for the youth and was serving as Chairman of the Administrative Council and on the Board of Trustees. Roger was a member of numerous boards including, the Board of Trustees of the Appalachian School of Law where he presently served as Chairman of the Finance Committee and formerly as Chairman of the Board; the Investment in Tomorrow Board at the Appalachian School of Law; and the Board of Trustees of the Appalachian College of Pharmacy serving as Secretary and Treasurer.

Mr. Powers served his community throughout his life, including as Member of the Grundy Town Council (1994-2005), Vice Mayor on two different occasions, Mayor of the Town of Grundy (January 2005-January 2011) and was presently serving as Town Manager since January 2011. He also was a member of the Grundy Industrial Development Authority, the John Flannagan Water Authority, the Breaks Airport Authority and was serving on the Board of the Breaks Interstate Park Commission. A business man in the Town of Grundy spanning several years, he was Owner of Roger & Company and Harris Cook Interiors (310 North Main), Jackson Hardware and Furniture Company, Modern Sales and Service and was Present Owner of Excello Oil Corporation. Roger was named Buchanan County Chamber of Commerce Man of the Year in 2010 and inducted into the Grundy High School Hall of Fame for Basketball in 1984.

Mr. Powers is survived by his loving wife of 57-years, Sheilah Rhae Peraldo Powers; Daughters: Renee Johnson and husband, Jimmy of Chesapeake, VA, Shonna Powers of Grundy, VA; Granddaughters: Cagney Farmer of Knoxville, TN, Kathleen McFadden of Denver, CO, Kelly Bumgarner and husband, Michael of Columbus, OH, and Ashley Johnson of Arlington, VA; Sister: Ginger Robertson of Grundy, VA; and Special Friend of the Family: Ailine Justus, Grundy, VA.

Funeral Services for ROGER POWERS will be conducted Saturday, December 22, 2012 at 11:00 A.M. at the Buchanan First Presbyterian Church, Grundy, VA, with Evg. William L. Neeley and Evg. Mike Rife officiating with burial to follow in the Mountain Valley Memorial Park, Big Rock, VA.

Friends may call at the Buchanan First Presbyterian Church Friday afternoon at 4:00 P.M. with Masonic Rites by Sandy Valley Lodge No. 17 at 7:00 P.M.

Active Pallbearers will be Albert Childress and the Grundy Town Policeman.

Honorary Pallbearers will be the Charles Ratliff, F.D. Robertson, Lodge Compton, Bill Kilgore, Members of the Grundy Lions Club, the Board of Trustees at the Appalachian School of Law and Appalachian College of Pharmacy, Town of Grundy Employees, Members of the Grundy Town Council, and Members of the I.D.A.

The family suggests that expressions of sympathy be made in the form of donations to: the Appalachian School of Law, 1169 Edgewater Drive, Grundy, VA 24614; Appalachian College of Pharmacy, 1060 Dragon Road, Oakwood, VA, 24631; and the Grundy Lions Club, 1203 Lilac Circle, Vansant, VA 24656.

Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.grundyfuneralhome.com

Grundy Funeral Home of Grundy, Virginia is in charge of all arrangements.