Ike Garber Powell died peacefully on November 21, 2025, in La Mesa, California, surrounded by his children—Julie, John, and Joseph—and his wife, Charlene. He was born on January 7, 1938, in the small southern town of Cairo, Georgia, a son of John Augustus Powell II and Velva Lois Garber. He was deeply devoted to his family and his lifelong work in marginalized communities. As a teenager, Ike rose early to deliver 1200 eggs a day in his Model A Ford. He was an Eagle Scout and a football standout who set long-standing track records at Cairo High School. However, it was his involvement in the First United Methodist Church of Cairo, and immersion in the southern conservative Christian tradition, that set him on his spiritual journey of service and discovery. Ike earned degrees from Duke and Emory in psychology and religion as well as graduate work in pastoral counselling from Columbia Theological Seminary. While at Emory, he met the love of his life, Charlene Cronier. After taking his divinity degree, he briefly served as a minister in the Capitol Homes project in Atlanta before choosing ‘social’ over ‘parish’ work. With his family, he spent more than 20 years with the Institute of Cultural Affairs (ICA), living in and working with impoverished rural and urban neighborhoods in the U.S. and abroad, helping empower people to improve their lives and communities. As Director of Training for the Appalachian Consulting Group (ACG), Ike played a pivotal role in institutionalizing peer support within Georgia’s mental-health system. Beginning with Georgia’s first statewide Certified Peer Specialist (CPS) program in 2001, he helped design and deliver training that enabled people with lived experience of mental illness to work as Medicaid-funded peer supporters. He later co-developed the “Peer Support Whole Health and Resiliency”model, expanding peer support into holistic, wellness-oriented recovery. His work helped make Georgia a national leader and inspired similar programs across the country.After a lifetime alongside people from varied backgrounds, Ike came to believe the greatest powers shaping his life were love, awareness, freedom, and gratitude. He believed in love for all of creation, awareness of our current reality and its imaginable possibilities, freedom to act on that awareness, and gratitude for the mystery and wonder of life. We will miss his compassion, leadership, wisdom, jokes, and stories. Ike is survived by his wife, Charlene Powell; his children and their spouses Julie and John Bertram, John Powell and Jane Springer, Joseph Powell and Kira Blaskovich; his grandchildren Keightley, Karri, Kathryn, Morrison, Dylan, and Calvin; and his great grandchild, Nora Charlene. He requested a graveside service in Cairo, Georgia, at a future date when he and Charlene can be interred together. His family is planning a celebration of life after the holidays and welcomes remembrances. Please share withJulie (jbertram520@gmail.com). In lieu of flowers, please make donations in his name to the Georgia Mental Health Consumer Network.
Thank you for send this Eulogy Beret. I admired Ike and Charlene very much. I always felt Ike had a twinkle in his eye, and to me, as an Australian and not understanding much about what I think is called ‘ the Deep South’ Ike reflected that reality to me. A man of deep gifts and graces. With my love, Isobel Isobel Bishop isobeljimbish@optusnet.com.au
On 2 Dec 2025, at 7:24 am, E. Caperton via OE <oe@lists.wedgeblade.net> wrote:
Ike Garber Powell died peacefully on November 21, 2025, in La Mesa, California, surrounded by his children—Julie, John, and Joseph—and his wife, Charlene. He was born on January 7, 1938, in the small southern town of Cairo, Georgia, a son of John Augustus Powell II and Velva Lois Garber. He was deeply devoted to his family and his lifelong work in marginalized communities.
As a teenager, Ike rose early to deliver 1200 eggs a day in his Model A Ford. He was an Eagle Scout and a football standout who set long-standing track records at Cairo High School. However, it was his involvement in the First United Methodist Church of Cairo, and immersion in the southern conservative Christian tradition, that set him on his spiritual journey of service and discovery.
Ike earned degrees from Duke and Emory in psychology and religion as well as graduate work in pastoral counselling from Columbia Theological Seminary. While at Emory, he met the love of his life, Charlene Cronier. After taking his divinity degree, he briefly served as a minister in the Capitol Homes project in Atlanta before choosing ‘social’ over ‘parish’ work. With his family, he spent more than 20 years with the Institute of Cultural Affairs (ICA), living in and working with impoverished rural and urban neighborhoods in the U.S. and abroad, helping empower people to improve their lives and communities.
As Director of Training for the Appalachian Consulting Group (ACG), Ike played a pivotal role in institutionalizing peer support within Georgia’s mental-health system. Beginning with Georgia’s first statewide Certified Peer Specialist (CPS) program in 2001, he helped design and deliver training that enabled people with lived experience of mental illness to work as Medicaid-funded peer supporters. He later co-developed the “Peer Support Whole Health and Resiliency”model, expanding peer support into holistic, wellness-oriented recovery. His work helped make Georgia a national leader and inspired similar programs across the country.After a lifetime alongside people from varied backgrounds, Ike came to believe the greatest powers shaping his life were love, awareness, freedom, and gratitude. He believed in love for all of creation, awareness of our current reality and its imaginable possibilities, freedom to act on that awareness, and gratitude for the mystery and wonder of life.
We will miss his compassion, leadership, wisdom, jokes, and stories.
Ike is survived by his wife, Charlene Powell; his children and their spouses Julie and John Bertram, John Powell and Jane Springer, Joseph Powell and Kira Blaskovich; his grandchildren Keightley, Karri, Kathryn, Morrison, Dylan, and Calvin; and his great grandchild, Nora Charlene. He requested a graveside service in Cairo, Georgia, at a future date when he and Charlene can be interred together. His family is planning a celebration of life after the holidays and welcomes remembrances. Please share withJulie (jbertram520@gmail.com). In lieu of flowers, please make donations in his name to the Georgia Mental Health Consumer Network. _______________________________________________ OE mailing list OE@lists.wedgeblade.net http://lists.wedgeblade.net/listinfo.cgi/oe-wedgeblade.net
Thank you Elizabeth! If you plan to join us at 1pm today, perhaps we can share a meal with your artist friend afterwards in a Decatur restaurant.Take care in the midst of a rainy day. Charles On Monday, December 1, 2025 at 03:25:53 PM EST, E. Caperton via OE <oe@lists.wedgeblade.net> wrote: Ike Garber Powell died peacefully on November 21, 2025, in La Mesa, California, surrounded by his children—Julie, John, and Joseph—and his wife, Charlene. He was born on January 7, 1938, in the small southern town of Cairo, Georgia, a son of John Augustus Powell II and Velva Lois Garber. He was deeply devoted to his family and his lifelong work in marginalized communities. As a teenager, Ike rose early to deliver 1200 eggs a day in his Model A Ford. He was an Eagle Scout and a football standout who set long-standing track records at Cairo High School. However, it was his involvement in the First United Methodist Church of Cairo, and immersion in the southern conservative Christian tradition, that set him on his spiritual journey of service and discovery. Ike earned degrees from Duke and Emory in psychology and religion as well as graduate work in pastoral counselling from Columbia Theological Seminary. While at Emory, he met the love of his life, Charlene Cronier. After taking his divinity degree, he briefly served as a minister in the Capitol Homes project in Atlanta before choosing ‘social’ over ‘parish’ work. With his family, he spent more than 20 years with the Institute of Cultural Affairs (ICA), living in and working with impoverished rural and urban neighborhoods in the U.S. and abroad, helping empower people to improve their lives and communities. As Director of Training for the Appalachian Consulting Group (ACG), Ike played a pivotal role in institutionalizing peer support within Georgia’s mental-health system. Beginning with Georgia’s first statewide Certified Peer Specialist (CPS) program in 2001, he helped design and deliver training that enabled people with lived experience of mental illness to work as Medicaid-funded peer supporters. He later co-developed the “Peer Support Whole Health and Resiliency”model, expanding peer support into holistic, wellness-oriented recovery. His work helped make Georgia a national leader and inspired similar programs across the country.After a lifetime alongside people from varied backgrounds, Ike came to believe the greatest powers shaping his life were love, awareness, freedom, and gratitude. He believed in love for all of creation, awareness of our current reality and its imaginable possibilities, freedom to act on that awareness, and gratitude for the mystery and wonder of life. We will miss his compassion, leadership, wisdom, jokes, and stories. Ike is survived by his wife, Charlene Powell; his children and their spouses Julie and John Bertram, John Powell and Jane Springer, Joseph Powell and Kira Blaskovich; his grandchildren Keightley, Karri, Kathryn, Morrison, Dylan, and Calvin; and his great grandchild, Nora Charlene. He requested a graveside service in Cairo, Georgia, at a future date when he and Charlene can be interred together. His family is planning a celebration of life after the holidays and welcomes remembrances. Please share withJulie (jbertram520@gmail.com). In lieu of flowers, please make donations in his name to the Georgia Mental Health Consumer Network. _______________________________________________ OE mailing list OE@lists.wedgeblade.net http://lists.wedgeblade.net/listinfo.cgi/oe-wedgeblade.net
Oops! This came to wrong "Elizabeth's email . Beth Engleman On Tuesday, December 2, 2025 at 06:04:55 AM EST, clingojr--- via OE <oe@lists.wedgeblade.net> wrote: Thank you Elizabeth! If you plan to join us at 1pm today, perhaps we can share a meal with your artist friend afterwards in a Decatur restaurant.Take care in the midst of a rainy day. Charles On Monday, December 1, 2025 at 03:25:53 PM EST, E. Caperton via OE <oe@lists.wedgeblade.net> wrote: Ike Garber Powell died peacefully on November 21, 2025, in La Mesa, California, surrounded by his children—Julie, John, and Joseph—and his wife, Charlene. He was born on January 7, 1938, in the small southern town of Cairo, Georgia, a son of John Augustus Powell II and Velva Lois Garber. He was deeply devoted to his family and his lifelong work in marginalized communities. As a teenager, Ike rose early to deliver 1200 eggs a day in his Model A Ford. He was an Eagle Scout and a football standout who set long-standing track records at Cairo High School. However, it was his involvement in the First United Methodist Church of Cairo, and immersion in the southern conservative Christian tradition, that set him on his spiritual journey of service and discovery. Ike earned degrees from Duke and Emory in psychology and religion as well as graduate work in pastoral counselling from Columbia Theological Seminary. While at Emory, he met the love of his life, Charlene Cronier. After taking his divinity degree, he briefly served as a minister in the Capitol Homes project in Atlanta before choosing ‘social’ over ‘parish’ work. With his family, he spent more than 20 years with the Institute of Cultural Affairs (ICA), living in and working with impoverished rural and urban neighborhoods in the U.S. and abroad, helping empower people to improve their lives and communities. As Director of Training for the Appalachian Consulting Group (ACG), Ike played a pivotal role in institutionalizing peer support within Georgia’s mental-health system. Beginning with Georgia’s first statewide Certified Peer Specialist (CPS) program in 2001, he helped design and deliver training that enabled people with lived experience of mental illness to work as Medicaid-funded peer supporters. He later co-developed the “Peer Support Whole Health and Resiliency”model, expanding peer support into holistic, wellness-oriented recovery. His work helped make Georgia a national leader and inspired similar programs across the country.After a lifetime alongside people from varied backgrounds, Ike came to believe the greatest powers shaping his life were love, awareness, freedom, and gratitude. He believed in love for all of creation, awareness of our current reality and its imaginable possibilities, freedom to act on that awareness, and gratitude for the mystery and wonder of life. We will miss his compassion, leadership, wisdom, jokes, and stories. Ike is survived by his wife, Charlene Powell; his children and their spouses Julie and John Bertram, John Powell and Jane Springer, Joseph Powell and Kira Blaskovich; his grandchildren Keightley, Karri, Kathryn, Morrison, Dylan, and Calvin; and his great grandchild, Nora Charlene. He requested a graveside service in Cairo, Georgia, at a future date when he and Charlene can be interred together. His family is planning a celebration of life after the holidays and welcomes remembrances. Please share withJulie (jbertram520@gmail.com). In lieu of flowers, please make donations in his name to the Georgia Mental Health Consumer Network. _______________________________________________ OE mailing list OE@lists.wedgeblade.net http://lists.wedgeblade.net/listinfo.cgi/oe-wedgeblade.net _______________________________________________ OE mailing list OE@lists.wedgeblade.net http://lists.wedgeblade.net/listinfo.cgi/oe-wedgeblade.net
We will miss Ike's smile and great attitude although we have not seen him in many years. I will always remember Joe talking about marching into Heaven with "the Blue". We are thankful for Ike's contributions and gifts to ICA and the world, Mary Laura and Ken Mary Laura Jones Grants Resource Development Consultant 53599 Pulver Road Three Rivers, MI 49093 cell: 773 636-2022 mljones2022@gmail.com On Tue, Dec 2, 2025 at 11:45 AM englewoman--- via OE < oe@lists.wedgeblade.net> wrote:
Oops! This came to wrong "Elizabeth's email . Beth Engleman
On Tuesday, December 2, 2025 at 06:04:55 AM EST, clingojr--- via OE < oe@lists.wedgeblade.net> wrote:
Thank you Elizabeth! If you plan to join us at 1pm today, perhaps we can share a meal with your artist friend afterwards in a Decatur restaurant. Take care in the midst of a rainy day. Charles
On Monday, December 1, 2025 at 03:25:53 PM EST, E. Caperton via OE < oe@lists.wedgeblade.net> wrote:
Ike Garber Powell died peacefully on November 21, 2025, in La Mesa, California, surrounded by his children—Julie, John, and Joseph—and his wife, Charlene. He was born on January 7, 1938, in the small southern town of Cairo, Georgia, a son of John Augustus Powell II and Velva Lois Garber. He was deeply devoted to his family and his lifelong work in marginalized communities.
As a teenager, Ike rose early to deliver 1200 eggs a day in his Model A Ford. He was an Eagle Scout and a football standout who set long-standing track records at Cairo High School. However, it was his involvement in the First United Methodist Church of Cairo, and immersion in the southern conservative Christian tradition, that set him on his spiritual journey of service and discovery.
Ike earned degrees from Duke and Emory in psychology and religion as well as graduate work in pastoral counselling from Columbia Theological Seminary. While at Emory, he met the love of his life, Charlene Cronier. After taking his divinity degree, he briefly served as a minister in the Capitol Homes project in Atlanta before choosing ‘social’ over ‘parish’ work. With his family, he spent more than 20 years with the Institute of Cultural Affairs (ICA), living in and working with impoverished rural and urban neighborhoods in the U.S. and abroad, helping empower people to improve their lives and communities.
As Director of Training for the Appalachian Consulting Group (ACG), Ike played a pivotal role in institutionalizing peer support within Georgia’s mental-health system. Beginning with Georgia’s first statewide Certified Peer Specialist (CPS) program in 2001, he helped design and deliver training that enabled people with lived experience of mental illness to work as Medicaid-funded peer supporters. He later co-developed the “Peer Support Whole Health and Resiliency”model, expanding peer support into holistic, wellness-oriented recovery. His work helped make Georgia a national leader and inspired similar programs across the country.After a lifetime alongside people from varied backgrounds, Ike came to believe the greatest powers shaping his life were love, awareness, freedom, and gratitude. He believed in love for all of creation, awareness of our current reality and its imaginable possibilities, freedom to act on that awareness, and gratitude for the mystery and wonder of life.
We will miss his compassion, leadership, wisdom, jokes, and stories.
Ike is survived by his wife, Charlene Powell; his children and their spouses Julie and John Bertram, John Powell and Jane Springer, Joseph Powell and Kira Blaskovich; his grandchildren Keightley, Karri, Kathryn, Morrison, Dylan, and Calvin; and his great grandchild, Nora Charlene. He requested a graveside service in Cairo, Georgia, at a future date when he and Charlene can be interred together. His family is planning a celebration of life after the holidays and welcomes remembrances. Please share withJulie (jbertram520@gmail.com). In lieu of flowers, please make donations in his name to the Georgia Mental Health Consumer Network. _______________________________________________ OE mailing list OE@lists.wedgeblade.net http://lists.wedgeblade.net/listinfo.cgi/oe-wedgeblade.net _______________________________________________ OE mailing list OE@lists.wedgeblade.net http://lists.wedgeblade.net/listinfo.cgi/oe-wedgeblade.net _______________________________________________ OE mailing list OE@lists.wedgeblade.net http://lists.wedgeblade.net/listinfo.cgi/oe-wedgeblade.net
I love this guy! When the Earlys became interns in the Rockford Religious House in the early 1970s, we shared a common plastered bedroom wall with Ike and Charlene. That made checking with each other very easy. Ike, on numerous occasions, lingered in the doorway to see how we were doing with his southern charm and a bit of Southern Comfort to sip. It was not unusual for us to shared things of interest from our days with each other. We laughed a lot! Ike became our go-to for explanations and answers to our “What was that about?” or “What do those words mean?” Several months into that intern year, we finally got our courage up and asked “What’s this "order stuff"?” From then on, Ike carefully broke us into being a part of the Order Ecumenical and into a world of caring. I’m grateful for the manner in which he played the role of sensitive friend and insightful spirit guide. Given witnesses by others, those gifts matured and continued to serve others. Thankfully, Leah Early
On Dec 2, 2025, at 10:06 AM, ML Jones via OE <oe@lists.wedgeblade.net> wrote:
We will miss Ike's smile and great attitude although we have not seen him in many years. I will always remember Joe talking about marching into Heaven with "the Blue". We are thankful for Ike's contributions and gifts to ICA and the world, Mary Laura and Ken
Mary Laura Jones Grants Resource Development Consultant 53599 Pulver Road Three Rivers, MI 49093 cell: 773 636-2022 mljones2022@gmail.com <mailto:mljones2022@gmail.com>
On Tue, Dec 2, 2025 at 11:45 AM englewoman--- via OE <oe@lists.wedgeblade.net <mailto:oe@lists.wedgeblade.net>> wrote:
Oops! This came to wrong "Elizabeth's email . Beth Engleman
On Tuesday, December 2, 2025 at 06:04:55 AM EST, clingojr--- via OE <oe@lists.wedgeblade.net <mailto:oe@lists.wedgeblade.net>> wrote:
Thank you Elizabeth! If you plan to join us at 1pm today, perhaps we can share a meal with your artist friend afterwards in a Decatur restaurant. Take care in the midst of a rainy day. Charles
On Monday, December 1, 2025 at 03:25:53 PM EST, E. Caperton via OE <oe@lists.wedgeblade.net <mailto:oe@lists.wedgeblade.net>> wrote:
Ike Garber Powell died peacefully on November 21, 2025, in La Mesa, California, surrounded by his children—Julie, John, and Joseph—and his wife, Charlene. He was born on January 7, 1938, in the small southern town of Cairo, Georgia, a son of John Augustus Powell II and Velva Lois Garber. He was deeply devoted to his family and his lifelong work in marginalized communities.
As a teenager, Ike rose early to deliver 1200 eggs a day in his Model A Ford. He was an Eagle Scout and a football standout who set long-standing track records at Cairo High School. However, it was his involvement in the First United Methodist Church of Cairo, and immersion in the southern conservative Christian tradition, that set him on his spiritual journey of service and discovery.
Ike earned degrees from Duke and Emory in psychology and religion as well as graduate work in pastoral counselling from Columbia Theological Seminary. While at Emory, he met the love of his life, Charlene Cronier. After taking his divinity degree, he briefly served as a minister in the Capitol Homes project in Atlanta before choosing ‘social’ over ‘parish’ work. With his family, he spent more than 20 years with the Institute of Cultural Affairs (ICA), living in and working with impoverished rural and urban neighborhoods in the U.S. and abroad, helping empower people to improve their lives and communities.
As Director of Training for the Appalachian Consulting Group (ACG), Ike played a pivotal role in institutionalizing peer support within Georgia’s mental-health system. Beginning with Georgia’s first statewide Certified Peer Specialist (CPS) program in 2001, he helped design and deliver training that enabled people with lived experience of mental illness to work as Medicaid-funded peer supporters. He later co-developed the “Peer Support Whole Health and Resiliency”model, expanding peer support into holistic, wellness-oriented recovery. His work helped make Georgia a national leader and inspired similar programs across the country.After a lifetime alongside people from varied backgrounds, Ike came to believe the greatest powers shaping his life were love, awareness, freedom, and gratitude. He believed in love for all of creation, awareness of our current reality and its imaginable possibilities, freedom to act on that awareness, and gratitude for the mystery and wonder of life.
We will miss his compassion, leadership, wisdom, jokes, and stories.
Ike is survived by his wife, Charlene Powell; his children and their spouses Julie and John Bertram, John Powell and Jane Springer, Joseph Powell and Kira Blaskovich; his grandchildren Keightley, Karri, Kathryn, Morrison, Dylan, and Calvin; and his great grandchild, Nora Charlene. He requested a graveside service in Cairo, Georgia, at a future date when he and Charlene can be interred together. His family is planning a celebration of life after the holidays and welcomes remembrances. Please share withJulie (jbertram520@gmail.com <mailto:jbertram520@gmail.com>). In lieu of flowers, please make donations in his name to the Georgia Mental Health Consumer Network. _______________________________________________ OE mailing list OE@lists.wedgeblade.net <mailto:OE@lists.wedgeblade.net> http://lists.wedgeblade.net/listinfo.cgi/oe-wedgeblade.net _______________________________________________ OE mailing list OE@lists.wedgeblade.net <mailto:OE@lists.wedgeblade.net> http://lists.wedgeblade.net/listinfo.cgi/oe-wedgeblade.net _______________________________________________ OE mailing list OE@lists.wedgeblade.net <mailto:OE@lists.wedgeblade.net> http://lists.wedgeblade.net/listinfo.cgi/oe-wedgeblade.net
OE mailing list OE@lists.wedgeblade.net http://lists.wedgeblade.net/listinfo.cgi/oe-wedgeblade.net
participants (6)
-
clingojr＠aol.com -
E. Caperton -
englewoman＠verizon.net -
Isobel and Jim Bishop -
Leah Early -
ML Jones