Julia Powell's Obituary
Julia Powell, 82, of Gainesville, Florida, passed away peacefully on Saturday, February 14, 2026.
Julie was born on September 29,1944, in Athens, Georgia. She was the daughter of David Perry Powell and Anna LaBoon Powell. She spent her two earliest years in Puerto Rico and then moved to Gainesville, Florida.
As one of the smartest members of her class, she excelled in elementary and high school in Gainesville. She attended Duke University on a math scholarship for two years before returning home for her last two years at the University of Florida. She was a Gator at heart with Duke a second favorite.
After teaching several years in Winston-Salem, NC, Julie decided public school teaching was not her passion. She moved to Atlanta, GA, and began a career as a computer programmer. In a position in the computer department at Life of Georgia Insurance Company, she was responsible for programming tickets for the Atlanta Falcons. Midcareer she decided to go to law school. She completed her law degree at Georgia State University while continuing her computer work.
Julie loved working as a clerk and research associate for a Federal Judge in Atlanta. She was not interested in becoming a practicing attorney and was pleased to spend her efforts drafting decisions and other items for a Federal Judge. She also worked for two years in Jacksonville before returning to Atlanta for the rest of her career.
During the same period, Julie developed a passion and skill for cooking. She took numerous cooking classes. Her dinners and birthday cakes became a key feature of family celebrations. She catered the dinner for her niece's wedding. For years, she brought her great nieces and nephews together to make Christmas cookies.
She was also skilled at needlework and knitting. She knit or crocheted beautiful blankets for all her sisters and nieces. Newly made Christmas ornaments were part of her gifts. Her needlepoint items were art works.
Volunteering at the Atlanta Aquarium was a delight to Julie. She Loved guiding people and being able to get tickets for friends and family. She participated in the Traveling Travalies and went on several whale watching trips. While Julie was sorry to leave Atlanta, she reveled in being back in Gator country. Watching her Gators was something Julie enjoyed to the end.
Most of all Julie loved sharing her enthusiasm and experiences with her family, who loved her dearly. She is survived by her daughter Michelle Edwards of Houston, TX; by sisters Liz Powell, Fran (Bill) Bigelow, and Maggie Powell (Tommy Ream). Her sister Helen Feussner predeceased her. Helen's daughter Heather Hall and her children Chelsea, Will, Joe, Anna, Tessa, and Autumn Frenchman brought Julie pleasure and support. Niece Brooke Bigelow McKechney (Tim) and her children Jayce and Shae were further away but gave Julie good reason to visit St. Petersburg regularly.
Julie will be greatly missed. We look forward to celebrating her life in a forthcoming memorial event.
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