Dr. M. Walton “Pap” Powers
The Funeral Services for Dr. M. Walton “Pap” Powers, age 81, will take place at Chattanooga Funeral Home North Chapel in Hixson on Friday, Aug. 1, 2025. Visitation is from 11 a.m.-1 p.m., with funeral services to follow in the Chapel at 1 p.m., with Dr. Steve Granger officiating.
A Second Funeral will be held at Limestone Chapel Funeral Home in Athens, Al. on Saturday, Aug. 2. Visitation is from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. (Central Time) with funeral services to follow in the Chapel at 1 p.m., with Pastor Shane Reyer officiating, with burial directly after at Roselawn Cemetery in Athens, Al.
Dr. M. Walton “Pap” Powers passed away peacefully in his home on Monday, July 28, 2025. Dr. Powers was born March 13,1944 in Rogersville Alabama to Albert Adell Powers and Nancy Milonea (Waddell) Powers. He attended Ardmore High School, where he was a standout three-sport athlete, receiving an induction to Sport Hall of Fame in 2016. He graduated from Clemson University with a doctorate of mathematics and minor in physics.
After graduating from University, he worked on defense contracts, including engineering the guidance system for the Patriot Missile. He loved learning and teaching mathematics as an adjunct faculty member of the University of TN at Chattanooga, while working full time with TVA as a long range planner, and retired after 27 years.
He was very involved in his church, even at a young age serving in Campus Crusade for Christ, where he met his loving wife of 59 years at the age of 16. He instilled a lifelong passion for bringing others to Christ through his work at church as a deacon and Sunday School teacher, teaching with the Good News Club and donating to missions such as CRU.
He was a very humble and strong Christian man that was devoted to his family as a loving husband, brother and dad. His life was marked by loyalty, conscientiousness and love, as a testament to the strength of his character. He will be deeply missed.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Albert and Milonea Powers, of Toney, Al.
He is survived by his loving wife, Barbara Taylor Powers, of 59 years, of Chattanooga; three daughters, Kellie and husband, Keith Helms, of Charlotte, NC, Kristen and husband, Dr. Jason Thomas, of Nashville, and Kara Ruth and husband, Dr. Chad Charapata, of Chattanooga; two brothers, Jerry Powers and wife, Jennie, of Greenville, NC, and Steve Powers and wife, Mary Jo, of Toney, Al.; and six grandchildren, Kelsey Hawkins, Carter Hawkins, Amber Thomas, Caitlin Thomas, Andrew Charapata and Carter Charapata.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations are made to the Good News Club (Child Evangelism Fellowship), CRU or Hixson First Baptist Church Children’s Department.
Arrangements are by the North Chapel of Chattanooga Funeral Home, Crematory and Florist, 5401 Highway 153, Hixson, Tn. 37343.
Please share your thoughts and memories at www.chattanooganorthchapel.com.