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Dr. Nathaniel "Nat" Powell born July 12, 1941, to the late Beaulah Powell and Wally King of Tampa, Florida. He departed this life on March 31, 2024 (Resurrection Sunday) at the age of 82. He was proceeded in death by his loving mother, Beaulah Powell; sister, Hazel Powell; brothers, Eddie D. Powell, Isaac Powell, Robert Powell, Raymond Powell, and John Powell. Nathaniel attended Harlem Academy (1st - 6th grade, 1947, in Downtown Tampa), Carver Junior High School (7th - 9th grade, 1953, in West Tampa), and Howard W. Blake Comprehensive High School (10th - 12th grade, 1956, in West Tampa), where he played football, was a member of the Science Club, and took up a trade in woodwork. After graduating high school in 1959, Nathaniel attended Gibbs Junior College in St. Petersburg, Florida where he earned an associate degree in 1961. He later headed to South Carolina State University where he played football and earned a bachelors degree in biology. He continued to pursue additional education at the University of South Florida where he earned his Masters and Doctorate Degree in Education.

Nathaniel taught at Booker T. Washington Junior High School and Middleton Adult Night School. After working many years in the classroom, he began working as one of the Hillsborough County Schools Superintendents over property. He later retired after 35 years of service on February 23, 2000. Nathaniel accepted Christ at an early age. He was a member of New Hope Missionary Baptist Church where he served as: Sunday School Superintendent, Member of the Trustee Ministry, Sunday School teacher for the mens class, and Greeters Ministry. Nathaniel was also a proud and dedicated member of Howard W. Blake Alumni Association and Booster Club, as well as a member of The Tampa Legends. He also served and enjoyed being a referee for the Pee-Wee Football Leagues, and for most Hillsborough County School District high school football teams. In his earlier years he was a lifeguard for the city, and a mentor for Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Tampa Bay. He enjoyed watching the Tampa Bay Area parades and would participate in the MLK Parade with the Howard W. Blake Class of 1959 annually. He was a member of several different bowling leagues, and he once was a participant on the TV Show Bowling for Dollars. Nathaniel was known as, "The Handy Man," he often would help others with home and building projects using the skills he learned from his trade in woodwork and his certification in electrical work. He was also a brilliant historian concerning Tampas history and the early local families dating back to the 1940s in the Bay Area. His favorite hobbies were traveling, playing Pokeno, fishing, attending various concerts, bowling, and collecting rare currency. He also enjoyed watching the boats sail by on Davis Island where he would find peace and serenity. Nathaniel was a loving father and always put family first. He leaves to cherish precious memories: his wife, Lula McDowell Powell; daughters: Dr. Natalie M. Powell-Glover (Anthony) (Riverview, Florida) and Kimberly D. Powell (Cape Coral, Florida); one sister: Beaulah James (Tampa, Florida); brothers: Freddie Lee Powell (Tampa, Florida) and Warren Powell (Atlanta, Georgia); sister-in-law(s): Annie Lee Powell (Tampa, Florida), Gwendolyn Powell (Tampa, Florida), Ruth Reddick (Blakely, Georgia) and Anna Williams (Tampa, Florida); cousins: Dr. Hazel S. Harvey and Clarence Senior (Tampa, Florida) and their families; a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. Special thanks to George Robinson and Davie James, Howard W. Blake Class of 1959, and Tampa General Hospital WICU Team.

Visitation
Friday, April 12, 2024
4:00 PM - 7:00 PM
New Hope Missionary Baptist Church
3005 E Ellicott St.
Tampa, FL 33610

Funeral Service
Saturday, April 13, 2024
11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
New Hope Missionary Baptist Church
3005 E Ellicott St.
Tampa, FL 33610

Funeral Service
Saturday, April 13, 2024
12:30 PM - 1:00 PM
Garden of Memories
4207 East Lake Avenue
Tampa, FL 33610