Robert Jackson Powell

Robert Jackson Powell of Lake Blackshear, Georgia passed away November 30^th, 2022 at his residence. Funeral services will be conducted Sunday, December 4^th, 2022, at 2:00 pm at Christ Episcopal Church in Cordele. Tar Drazdowski will officiate.

Robert was born on August 16, 1946, in Albany, Georgia to the late John Albert Powell and Martha Strange Powell.  After graduating from Lee County High School, he attended and graduated from Georgia Southwestern and soon thereafter moved to Atlanta to become a Surety Underwriter for USF&G. 

Upon returning to southwest Georgia, he and Raymond Cannon opened a new insurance agency in Albany in 1973, the T. Ray Cannon Agency. This would be the start of a successful lifelong career as an insurance agent. The T. Ray Cannon Agency soon became Cannon and Powell Insurors. In 1981, Robert was installed as the new president of the Independent Insurance Agents of Albany while already serving on the board of directors of the Independent Insurance Agents of Georgia and on the state’s association education committee.

As President/ CEO, Robert continued to grow Cannon & Powell Insurors , opening a branch office in Cordele in 1982 and later that year, merging with Albany’s Lanier-Huffman-Robinson Insurance Services. Two years later he participated in the formation of a new insurance company, Southern Heritage, which was headquartered in Decatur, Georgia.  

In 1990, Robert would steer Cannon and Powell through a second merger, this time with The Duggan Insurance Agency in Albany, and a new name, Cannon, Powell & Duggan.

Robert continued to serve as President/CEO of Cannon, Powell & Duggan until his retirement in 2001.  He soon got the itch to return to the workforce and in 2007 took over as manager of an IT support company in Albany where he remained until February of 2022.

Outside of business, Robert’s love of community and desire to serve spilled over into his personal life. He was an active member of Christ Episcopal Church in Cordele where he served on the vestry. He was an integral part of Worship on the Water. Robert was Chairman of the Crisp County Tax Assessors as well as a board member of the Lake Blackshear Homeowner’s Association.

Robert was an avid woodworker and builder, constructing docks, decks, porches, garages, barns and his grill shed where he loved grilling for friends and family.

A selfless man, Robert was always willing to lend a hand to anyone in need, from towing in stalled boats on Lake Blackshear to helping neighbors around their homes.

Robert loved his friends and family fiercely and will deeply be missed by so many.

Survivors include his wife, Debbie Etheridge Powell, his sister, Judy Powell, daughter, Cyndi Geeslin (Clay) and grandson, Chase Geeslin.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks you donate to the Cordele Animal Shelter (focas31015@gmail.com) PayPal Account.  Donations are also appreciated to the Georgia Equine Rescue League (gerlltd.org).

Sunday’s service will be on Facebook live, Red Door Worship CEC Cordele for those not able to attend.