Lacey E. Powell, Jr.

Dr. Lacey E. Powell, Jr. was a retired, beloved professor of music at the University of South Alabama after serving 30 years in the department of music. At South he was appointed the music department’s first director of bands. While at the University, he was selected to be the first executive director of the Alabama Music Educators Association and re-elected for other terms. Prior to his tenure at the University, he was supervisor of music for the Mobile Public Schools. During his career as director of bands at Georgiana High School, Andalusia High School and Davidson High School, his bands were awarded only superior ratings. He was the director of the “Marching 200” as part of our nation’s bicentennial celebration which performed on the three national telecasts.

As an active clinician, Dr. Powell conducted All-State and regional honor bands in numerous states and appeared as adjudicator, clinician, consultant, and speaker.

He was a member of the 43rd Division Army Band during the Korean Conflict, the Mobile Symphony for seven seasons, and a charter member of the Mobile Symphonic Pops Band. He served on the board of directors for the Symphony Concerts of Mobile.

Dr. Powell served as president of Alabama Music Educators Association for two terms, Alabama Bandmasters Association, and Alabama’s Rho chapter of Phi Beta Mu, national honorary bandmaster’s fraternity. In addition, he was state chairman of the College Band Directors Association and the American School Band Directors Association. He was also a member of the Alabama Alliance for Arts Education Board and named Director Emeritus.

Dr. Powell was selected as an Outstanding Educator of America, honored by Troy University as Outstanding Music Educator and Distinguished Alumnus of the Year. The Alabama Music Educators Association named him Outstanding Music Educator and awarded him the AMEA Barbara Odom Leadership Service Award. He was inducted in the Alabama Bandmasters Hall of Fame and the Alabama Music Educators Association Hall of Fame. An annual award has been named in his honor, the Lacey Powell Outstanding Music Educator Award.

Dr. Powell, a former chairman of the editorial board of ala breve, official publication of the Alabama Music Educators Association, has published articles in ala breve, The Instrumentalist, Music Educators Journal, and School Musician-Director.

Dr. Powell received his bachelor’s degree from Troy State University, master’s from VanderCook University, and Ph.D. from the University of Alabama, with additional study at Northwestern University.

Memberships include National Association for Music Education, Alabama Music Educators Association, Alabama Bandmasters Association, National Band Association, Alabama Alliance for Arts Education, Phi Beta Mu and Phi Mu Alpha.

Dr. Powell also served as minister of music for Spanish Fort Baptist Church, St. John’s United Methodist and Ashland Place Methodist. He also enjoyed planning the Troy University WWII annual reunion.

He had a love for life and treated each day as a gift. Dr. Powell was passionate about his health, exercise, college football, family and church.

Dr. Powell is survived by his bride of 61 years, Margaret Williams Powell; his children, Nancy Kramer, David Powell (LaSha), and Susan Powell Dupree (Kerry); grandchildren, Jenny Kramer and Dalton Powell; brother ,Jack Powell (Betty) of Dothan, Ala.; and nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his father and mother, Lacey E. Powell and Genie Lee Powell.

He was born in Troy, Ala., on Dec. 19, 1928, and passed away Nov. 14, 2016.

There will be memorial service on Sat., Dec. 3, at 10 a.m., followed by visitation at 11 at Springhill Baptist Church in Mobile.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made in his memory to USA Dept of Music LPAC room 1072, 5751 USA Drive South Mobile, AL 36688 or Alabama Baptist Children’s Home PO Box 361767 Birmingham, AL 35236.

Condolences may be offered online at www.radneyfuneralhome-mobile.com.