Alverta Odessa (Swinson) Powell

Alverta Odessa Powell born to the late Roland and Annie Swinson on August 18, 1936 in Washington, DC at the old Freedmen's Hospital. Her twin brothers Randolph (1978) and Rudolph (1996) have both preceded her in death. Sista, as she was affectionately known, accepted Christ as her personal Lord and Saviour at the age of 12 and was baptized at the Mount Pleasant Baptist Church, Washington, DC under the pastorship of Rev. Robert Anderson. At this young age she became active in the church, singing in the Second Choir. Alverta was educated in the public schools of Washington, DC up until the age of 16. She was married to the late Lovett Powell in 1952. To this union two children were born; one boy Tyrone (deceased) and a girl Diane. Alverta worked in food service for over 13 years before attending clerk typist school where she was extended a job opportunity to work for the Department of Defense, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. While serving as a clerk typist for many years, Alverta moved up through the ranks to become a Secretary. She received many accolades for her hard work and dedicated service to the agency. In 1988, Alverta received what she called ?her purpose in life?, her grandchildren Chrissette (11) and Dalonte (6 months). She dedicated the rest of her life to raising and caring for them as her own. During this time Alverta continued to care for ailing son, looked after her mother, supported her daughter, and raised her grandchildren. Many of her friends and loved ones labelled her as a ?dynamite woman?. Alverta never missed an opportunity to tell her story or share the success of her children and grandchildren with anyone willing to listen. In 2000, Alverta retired from the US Army Corps of Engineers after 27 years of service. She began a new career in raising her great granddaughter Krishauna. She took such pride in being a part of the beginning years of her life, teaching Krishauna to walk, talk, and potty trained. Alverta spent a lot of her time at Midway Casino; she would say ?I enjoy the bus ride and the scenery and the food is really good?. Spending time with her family was most important, seeing them happy was her goal in life, and helping in any way that she could. On Tuesday, February 4, 2014, Alverta Powell went home to be with the Lord. She leaves to cherish her memory, caring and devoted, daughter Diane Powell of DC; devoted, faithful, and caring grandchildren, Chrissette Powell Andrews (Shawn), and Dalonte Powell of DC; one great grandchild, Krishauna Andrews of VA; a sister Mavis Russell; one nephew Randolph Swinson, Jr.; one step nephew and niece Vernon Russell and Paulette Jones of Norfolk, VA; two sister-in-laws, Annie L. Swinson (Randolph) of DC and Ruth B. Swinson (Rudolph) of MD; one aunt Helena Alridge of NC, and a host of other family and friends.

Alverta Odessa (Swinson) Powell

August 18, 1936 - February 4, 2014