Mr. Jesse Howard "Herby" Powell Jr.

Jesse Howard “Herby” Powell, Jr. of Shelbyville, Tenn., passed away on May 30, 2025. He was born on January 10, 1932, to the late Jesse Howard and Martha Williams Powell of Bell Buckle, Tenn. In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by his first wife, Betty Kay Joyce Powell. He was 93 years old and in all those years he never ran out of stories to tell or jokes to deliver. He was dearly loved and will be greatly missed by all who knew him. Herby grew up on a farm near Bell Buckle and attended Bell Buckle High School where he met his future wife, Betty Kay Joyce. After high school, Herby worked as a farm hand in the Bell Buckle area for four years. He enlisted in the US Navy in 1953 and served as a radioman on ships transporting soldiers to Korea. Herby married Betty Kay, his high school sweetheart, in 1955 while on leave. He was honorably discharged in 1958 and returned to Bell Buckle to start a new chapter in his life. Herby was hired by Duck River Electric Membership Corporation as a transformer technician in 1960. He and Betty moved to Shelbyville where they would raise their three children. He worked for DREMC for eleven years, then took a chance to begin a new career as a salesman for an electric supply company. His positive attitude, likeable personality and dedication to customer service made him an outstanding sales rep who enjoyed much success in his new field calling on municipal power companies throughout the region. In March of 1997, he was hired by a power pole company based in Alabama to be a sales rep. The company was so pleased with Herby’s sales record he was made an employee for life. Herby was an avid golfer who played into his 80’s. He also was a member of the Shelbyville Lions Club for many years, serving as a tail twister for 15 years and as president in 1982. His gift for humor and story-telling made him in high- demand as an emcee for corporate events for three decades. Herby leaves behind to cherish his memory his sister Dorothy Elkins, his wife Shirley Powell, his children Mike (Kathleen) Powell, Kelly Powell Knight and Amy Powell; his grandchildren Jacob, Lillian (Taylor) Thomas and Thomas Powell, and Kate (Matt) Knight; and his sister-in-law Linda Joyce Vannatta. Visitation will be at 4-7 pm Wednesday, June 4, at Feldhaus Memorial Chapel in Shelbyville. Funeral services will be 11am Thursday at Feldhaus Memorial Chapel. Minister Ed Boggess will be officiating. Burial will follow at Willow Mount Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made online to the American Red Cross at: Donate Now - Online Donations | American Red Cross. You are invited to share a personal memory of Herby or your condolences with his family at his online

Mr. Jesse Howard "Herby" Powell Jr.

January 10, 1932 - May 30, 2025