Jennie Mae Hobbs Twitty Powell began her earthly journey on Saturday, September 14, 1935, in Limestone County, Alabama. A godly life that was precious to us ended Friday, September 15, 2023, in Madison, Alabama. She was the seventh of sixteen children born to the late Shead Hobbs, Sr. and the late Ida Bell Peebles Hobbs. She was reared in Limestone and Madison counties and the last of the sixteen children to be called from this life to life eternal. She silently slipped away into eternal rest; Jesus answered her, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise,” Luke 23:43
In the summer of 1975, in a fiery old-time revival, she gave her life to Jesus Christ at Saint Elizabeth Cumberland Presbyterian Church of America, Madison, Alabama under the pastorage of Reverend George Moore, Sr. Later, she moved for Detroit, Michigan and for fifteen years her membership was with Bethel A.M.E. Church, 5050 St. Antoine, Detroit, Michigan under the pastorage of Reverend Norman V. Osborne. Upon her return home, she reunited with her home church. Mother Powell was a creative and talented individual and loved serving the Lord on the Mother’s Board, Missionary Society, and even the Choir in Michigan. Until her health began to fail, she regularly attended worship services and Bible Studies. She loved dressing tables on special days and Fall Harvest. Jennie was a caring and generous person who loved to whole-heartedly commit herself to the work of Christ.
Jennie Hobbs married the late Oscar Twitty, Jr., in 1953 and to that union, they were blessed with children. Later in life, she married the late Anthony Powell in Madison, Alabama before moving to Detroit, Michigan. For many years, she owned and operated an upholstery shop and was a gifted seamstress. She saw the beauty of life’s treasures and enjoyed laughter with family and friends.
Mother Powell leaves to cherish her memories; sister, Margaret Jordan Nelson, Athens, Alabama (Shead Hobbs, Sr.’ daughter); children, Minister Mary (Judge) Posey, Huntsville, Alabama; Geneary Twitty Peoples, Huntsville, Alabama; Anthony Bernard (Malinda) Twitty, Killeen, Texas; Dorine Twitty Okpara, Madison, Alabama; and Reverend Grace (Reverend Dr. Richard) Twitty Douglass, Rochester, New York. Daughter-in-Law, Cynthia Gill (Richard, deceased) Twitty, Madison, Alabama. Grandchildren: Andre’ LeVal (Maisha) Ellison, Gracie Elizabeth (Elijah III) Douglass Bridges, Christopher Robinson, Felix Okpara, Justin Okpara, Jessica Twitty, Julius Richard Douglass, Amanda Twitty, Nicole Okpara, and Anthony Emmanuel Twitty. Great grandchildren: Cameron Ellison, Alyzabeth Ellison, Treyv’on Thompson, Victoria Cheatom, Harley Rice, Elijah Bridges, III, and Mason McDonald; and Great-Great-Grandchild; Isabella Catalina Ellison. In addition to her immediate family, her precious memories will linger on in the hearts of a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. Mother will be greatly missed as the last matriarch of the Hobbs Family, but her Spirit will live on.
Funeral service will be 12:00 noon, Thursday, September 21, 2023, at the St. Elizabeth Cumberland Presbyterian Church in America (104 Perry Street, Madison, AL 35758) with Pastor Columbus Waddle officiating. Interment will be in Faith Memorial Park. Mother Powell will lie in repose one hour prior to funeral time.
Public viewing will be held from 2:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m., Wednesday, September 20, 2023, and 8:30 until 10:00 a.m., Thursday, September 21, 2023, at the Royal Funeral Home.
