Mr. Columbus Frederick Powell, after 79 years of life, received his rest on Thursday, December 4, 2025 from Tulsa, Oklahoma.

Columbus Frederick Powell was born on January 23, 1946, in Kansas City, Kansas to Willie Powell, Sr. and Justine Powell. He was the fifth of seven children of this union: Will Ella Powell, Quincy Tex Powell, Bobby Joe Powell, Sr., Richard Lee Powell, Sr., Columbus Fredrick Powell, Willie Powell, Jr., and Frank Taylor, Jr.

Shortly after Columbus’s birth, the family relocated to Boynton, Oklahoma. He attended Arcade Public Schools until the sixth grade he then attended Wainwright Public Schools, where he graduated in 1964.

After graduating high school, Columbus moved to East Palo Alto, California, and enrolled in San Mateo Junior College. Soon afterward, he enlisted in the United States Navy and served honorably in the Vietnam War. During his years of service, he traveled around the world two or three times before receiving an honorable discharge.

Upon returning to California, Columbus met and married Sandra Barnum of Muskogee, Oklahoma. Although they had no children of their own, the couple lovingly raised her nephew, Orlando Eugene Thompson. Columbus and Sandra shared more than 35 wonderful years of marriage until her untimely passing.

While living in California, Columbus worked as a lead foreman for Santa Clara County Machines, Mountain View, California where oversaw the construction of amusement park rides. Following his retirement, he returned home to Oklahoma, settling near Muskogee just east of Taft on Taft Road, which he lovingly made his final home. He moved back home and became a cattle rancher, and this was a great pastime that bought him great joy.

Columbus enjoyed the simple pleasures of life. He loved watching western movies and jokingly referred to going to the casino as “going to the office.” A true family man, he cherished his loved ones and hosted annual family gatherings at his home. He was known for making delicious cornbread dressing. He also enjoyed watching Black Culture Diaries on YouTube—a pastime he picked up after his brother Willie introduced him to it, the history of it intrigued his mind.

Columbus was passionate about his family and truly a people person. You couldn’t ask for a better brother. He was a great, stand-up kind of man—likable, loving, a good listener, slow to anger, and simply a cool, easygoing soul. In his later years, he found comfort and companionship in Carollyn Smith of Portland, Oregon, who became his longtime confidant and friend.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Sandra Powell; parents, Willie Powell, Sr. and Justine Powell; and siblings, Bobby Joe Powell, Sr., Quincy Tex Powell, Richard Lee Powell, Sr., and Frank Taylor, Jr.

He leaves to cherish his memory: his sister, Will Ella Powell-Coffey of Muskogee, Oklahoma; his brother, Willie (Kathleen) Powell, Jr. of Atlanta, Georgia; nephew, Orlando Eugene Thompson of Sacramento, California; a special niece, L’Tanya “Lynn” (Marcellus) Faulk of Muskogee, Oklahoma; the love of his life, Carollyn Smith of Portland, Oregon; and his aunts, and Margie Powell of Bakersfield, California, Betty Miller and Idella Miller, both of Tulsa, Oklahoma; sister-in-love, Joann Powell of Muskogee, Oklahoma and Margaret Taylor of Taft, Oklahoma . He is also survived by a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives, and friends who will forever cherish his memory.

You may visit Mr. Powell, as he slumbers in the People's Chapel of the Keith D. Biglow Funeral Directors, Inc., of Muskogee on Friday, December 19, 2025 between the hours of 1:00 PM and 6:00 PM.

The Service of Memory for Mr. Powell will commence on Saturday morning, December 20, 2025 at 11:00 A.M. in the most holy sanctuary of New Life Ministries of Taft, Oklahoma.  Apostle Michael Gaulden, Sr., is the Senior Pastor.

Military Honors and the Christian Committal will follow the service in the Doyle Cemetery, Yahola, Oklahoma.

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