Warren Clyde Powell, Jr., 72, of Columbia, SC passed away on Thursday, January 2, 2025, after a ten-month battle with pancreatic cancer. He was born in Columbia in 1952 to Mary Ellen Powell, a nurse anesthetist, and Warren Clyde Powell, a local businessman and the owner of Powell Furniture.
Warren excelled academically and competed on the champion-winning debate team at Dreher High School. He earned his undergraduate degree from the Citadel, where he was a member of Romeo company. Recently, his graduating class celebrated their fifty-year reunion, and though his ill health prevented him from attending, he proudly wore the reunion polo his friends brought home for him.
After graduating college in 1974, Warren went on to attend the University of South Carolina School of Law, and he earned his Juris Doctor in 1977. To say Warren loved practicing law would be an understatement. It is often said that nobody reaches the end of their life and wishes they had spent more time at work, but Warren proved this adage false; even in hospice, he grumbled that he would rather be at the office.
He began his 47-year career as an associate in the Belser Law Firm, and in 1981, he became a partner in the firm known at the time as Belser, Baker, Barwick, Ravenel, Toal & Bender.
In 1991, Warren and his friend, the late Jim Bruner, decided to start their own firm. Bruner Powell, as the firm is now known, grew steadily over the next decade. As a managing partner, Warren litigated complex cases with unparalleled focus and skill, and he took great pride in mentoring other attorneys in the firm.
But it was in 1982 that Warren met his life partner-or as he referred to her, “the boss.” A mutual friend introduced him to Adelaide, and they married in 1988. In 1994, Anne Marie was born, and Warren earned his most cherished title– “Papa”.
Warren was a skilled storyteller with a quick sense of humor, a near-encyclopedic knowledge of American history, and no qualms about telling the same story twice. In his spare time, he enjoyed hunting, boating, barbecuing, and spending time with his family.
Warren was predeceased by his parents and in-laws, his elder half-sister, Lyda Glick, and many beloved aunts and uncles. He is survived by his wife, Adelaide, and their daughter, Anne Marie (David), of Central, SC, as well as an honorary daughter, Georgia Kirkland, of Savannah, GA; his siblings, Kay Rushe (Russell), Mike Powell (Brenda), and Susanne Jordan (Shemion), all of Columbia, SC; six nieces and nephews-Jessica Harper (Todd) and Michael Powell (Kaley), both of Greenville, SC; George Rushe (Caroline), Pope Jordan, Kathyrn Powell, and Laurence Rushe, all of Columbia, SC-three grand nieces, three grand nephews, and many cherished cousins.
The funeral service for Mr. Powell will be held at 11 o’clock, Tuesday, January 7th, at Shives Funeral Home, Trenholm Road Chapel, 7600 Trenholm Road Ext., Columbia. A private family burial will follow in Greenbrier United Methodist Church Cemetery, Winnsboro. The family will receive friends prior to the service at the funeral home beginning at 10 o’clock.
The family would like to extend their thanks to Duke University Hospital’s oncology team and the Lexington Community Hospice House for their excellent care.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network at PanCAN (Pancreatic Cancer Action Network).org”