Obituary of Carleen Old Powell

Carleen Old Powell, 87, passed away on March 25, 2023. She was born on August 10, 1935, in Lawrence County, TN. Carleen was predeceased by her husband, Leland Templeton Powell; father, Hugh Shields Old; mother, Annie Lee Old; sister, Betty Old Mabry; and brother, Jim Spruell Old.

Carleen was raised on a family farm in Tennessee that she fondly referred to as “down home” and was happy to tell stories about growing-up in the country, swimming in the creek, riding her bicycle to piano lessons in town and her love for the outdoors. Always independent, strong-willed and sassy at times, she moved to Nashville, TN to work for National Life Insurance Co. right out of high school. Carleen married Leland on July 2, 1963 in Nashville and they made their home in Winter Park, FL. While she worked part-time, she was a loving mother who focused her time and energy on raising and encouraging her children. Carleen spent many afternoons sitting on the shore of Lake Virginia at “Dinky Dock,” while her youngsters were taking swim lessons, and later ferrying a carpool of adolescents to year-round swim practices; she never missed a school function or sporting event and was a tremendously supportive cheerleader for her kids all along the way. Carleen and Leland retired to Charlotte, NC in 2001 to be near their cherished granddaughters and liked to spend time with family in the mountains of Blowing Rock, NC. Throughout her life, Carleen walked religiously every day and enjoyed gardening and feeding the birds. She never let a clear Carolina blue sky go unrecognized as spectacular.

Carleen is survived by her daughter, Leigh Ann Powell; son, Leland Templeton Powell, Jr. (Melanie); and granddaughters Katelyn Ashley Powell and Ansley Elizabeth Powell.

There was a private family memorial and arrangements were made at Hankins & Whittington Funeral Service in Charlotte, NC.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a contribution to the Wing Haven Foundation: https://winghavengardens.org/.

Online condolences may be made at www.HankinsandWhittington.com.