Christine Powell

Christine Powell was born on April 12, 1936, in Harrisville, Mississippi, to her loving parents, Bert Lee Hicks and Flora Lee Bridges. She was the fifth child in a family of six, and her upbringing was deeply rooted in the values and support of her close-knit family. Christine's parents, Bert Lee and Flora Lee, both preceded her in death, leaving behind a legacy of love and guidance.

In 1937, Christine’s family made the significant move to Chicago, Illinois, settling on the west side of the city. It was here that Christine spent her formative years, surrounded by the warmth and support of her close-knit family. Growing up in such a nurturing environment,

Christine benefited from the loving presence of her relatives, whose encouragement and care played a vital role in shaping her character and instilling the values that would guide her throughout life.

Christine and her family were active members of Greater Bethlehem M.B. Church on Chicago’s west side. It was here, under the guidance of Pastor Washington, that Christine experienced a pivotal moment in her spiritual journey. At a young age, she made the important decision to accept Christ Jesus as her Savior and was baptized, marking the beginning of her lifelong faith and commitment to God.

Christine received her formal education at Alfred Tennyson Elementary School and continued her studies at Manley High School in Chicago. These formative years in the city helped shape her character and provided a foundation for her future endeavors. Surrounded by her family and the vibrant community of Chicago’s west side, Christine developed a strong sense of faith, and determination that would guide her throughout her life.

Christine met and married the love of her life, Air-Baseman Ivin Sherman Powell, in March 1955. Their union was blessed with two children, Belinda and Ivin Jr. In 1956, Christine relocated to Hampton, Virginia while her husband served in the Air Force. After the birth of her beloved son, Ivin Jr., Christine returned to Chicago in 1958. Both her husband, Ivin Sr., and her beloved son, Ivin Jr., preceded her in death.

Upon returning to Chicago, Christine began working as a waitress in the afternoons at her cousin’s family-owned lounge. She faithfully held this position until her husband returned from serving the country. Following this chapter, Christine embarked on a long and dedicated career at Ruby Dry Cleaners, where she worked for over twenty years. Her commitment to her work was unwavering; however, when her mother’s health started to decline, Christine readily stepped away from her job to provide the care and support that her mother needed.

Christine was a devoted daughter, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and great-great-grandmother. Her compassionate nature was evident in the way she opened her home to family members in need. She lovingly cared for her mother until her mother’s took her rest in God’s Paradise, and during that time, Christine also helped watch over her great-grandchildren, balancing her responsibilities with grace and selflessness. Within her family, Christine was blessed with strong sibling relationships. She shared her childhood with her sister Geraldine, Barbara, and brothers, Artist and Clifford, forging deep bonds of sisterhood and brotherhood. Although RL, Geraldine, Artist, and Clifford would eventually precede her in death, the memories and foundation provided by her family remained a lasting influence, continually shaping Christine’s strength, resilience, and compassionate spirit throughout her life.

In 2007, Christine moved to Bellwood, where she continued to help care for her great-grandchildren. Her sense of duty to her family never wavered. In 2013, she relocated to Romeoville to assist in caring for her son-in-love, Lee Roy, who would later precede her in death. Christine faced many health challenges, but God always pulled her threw, through God’s gentle touch she became steadfast and resilient. Twenty-eight plus years ago God healed her from breast-cancer . Since 2020, Christine’s health declined further, and movement became increasingly difficult for her. Through every struggle, Christine’s faith remained strong; she was often heard thanking Jesus with every step she took. In her final days, she continued to call on God, demonstrating her unwavering spiritual commitment.

During the week of November 9th, Christine devoted herself to prayer and spent meaningful time in conversation with God, deepening her spiritual connection as she prepared for what was to come. On Saturday, November 15th, Christine shared with her daughter that she would be leaving soon, expressing a sense of peace and readiness for her transition.

On November 16th, Christine entered her eternal rest in God’s Paradise reuniting with her loved ones. She departed surrounded by the love of her family, leaving behind a powerful legacy of faith and cherished memories that continue to comfort those who loved her.

Christine’s memory lives on through her loving family, including her daughter Belinda Johnson of Romeoville, IL; Daughter in law Latrice Hudson; grandchildren Latonya Curry (Romeoville, IL), Keydra Curry (Bellwood, IL), John Curry and Nakeya Curry (Chicago, IL), Tai’Nesha and Anthony Robinson (Joliet, IL), Darian Smith-Powell (St. Cloud, MN), Ivin and Jeanne Powell III (St. Cloud, MN), and Ivory Walton Powell (Danville, IL); Step-Grandchildren Tim, Marcell, Precious, Anthony Hudson.Her legacy extends further to thirty-five great-grandchildren and three great-great-grandchildren. Christine is also survived by her sister Barbara Steward of Chicago, IL; two sisters-in-love, Genice Sullivan (Chicago, IL) and Loran Powell (Oak Park, IL), one brother-in-love, Cecil Lyles Sr. In addition, she leaves behind a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends whose lives she touched with her love and compassion.

Christine Powell was born on April 12, 1936, in Harrisville, Mississippi, to her loving parents, Bert Lee Hicks and Flora Lee Bridges. She was the fifth child in a family of six, and her upbringing was deeply rooted in the values and support of her close-knit family. Christine's parents, Bert Lee and Flora Lee, both preceded her in death, leaving behind a legacy of love and guidance.

In 1937, Christine’s family made the significant move to Chicago, Illinois, settling on the west side of the city. It was here that Christine spent her formative years, surrounded by the warmth and support of her close-knit family. Growing up in such a nurturing environment, Christine benefited from the loving presence of her relatives, whose encouragement and care played a vital role in shaping her character and instilling the values that would guide her throughout life. 

Christine and her family were active members of Greater Bethlehem M.B. Church on Chicago’s west side. It was here, under the guidance of Pastor Washington, that Christine experienced a pivotal moment in her spiritual journey. At a young age, she made the important decision to accept Christ Jesus as her Savior and was baptized, marking the beginning of her lifelong faith and commitment to God.

Christine received her formal education at Alfred Tennyson Elementary School and continued her studies at Manley High School in Chicago. These formative years in the city helped shape her character and provided a foundation for her future endeavors. Surrounded by her family and the vibrant community of Chicago’s west side, Christine developed a strong sense of faith, and determination that would guide her throughout her life.

Christine met and married the love of her life, Air-Baseman Ivin Sherman Powell, in March 1955. Their union was blessed with two children, Belinda and Ivin Jr. In 1956, Christine relocated to Hampton, Virginia while her husband served in the Air Force. After the birth of her beloved son, Ivin Jr., Christine returned to Chicago in 1958. Both her husband, Ivin Sr., and her beloved son, Ivin Jr., preceded her in death.

Upon returning to Chicago, Christine began working as a waitress in the afternoons at her cousin’s family-owned lounge. She faithfully held this position until her husband returned from serving the country. Following this chapter, Christine embarked on a long and dedicated career at Ruby Dry Cleaners, where she worked for over twenty years. Her commitment to her work was unwavering; however, when her mother’s health started to decline, Christine readily stepped away from her job to provide the care and support that her mother needed.

Christine was a devoted daughter, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and great-great-grandmother. Her compassionate nature was evident in the way she opened her home to family members in need. She lovingly cared for her mother until her mother’s took her rest in God’s Paradise, and during that time, Christine also helped watch over her great-grandchildren, balancing her responsibilities with grace and selflessness. Within her family, Christine was blessed with strong sibling relationships. She shared her childhood with her sister Geraldine, Barbara, and brothers, Artist and Clifford, forging deep bonds of sisterhood and brotherhood. Although RL, Geraldine, Artist, and Clifford would eventually precede her in death, the memories and foundation provided by her family remained a lasting influence, continually shaping Christine’s strength, resilience, and compassionate spirit throughout her life.

In 2007, Christine moved to Bellwood, where she continued to help care for her great-grandchildren. Her sense of duty to her family never wavered. In 2013, she relocated to Romeoville to assist in caring for her son-in-love, Lee Roy, who would later precede her in death. Christine faced many health challenges, but God always pulled her threw, through God’s gentle touch she became steadfast and resilient. Twenty-eight plus years ago God healed her from breast-cancer. Since 2020, Christine’s health declined further, and movement became increasingly difficult for her. Through every struggle, Christine’s faith remained strong; she was often heard thanking Jesus with every step she took. In her final days, she continued to call on God, demonstrating her unwavering spiritual commitment.

During the week of November 9th, Christine devoted herself to prayer and spent meaningful time in conversation with God, deepening her spiritual connection as she prepared for what was to come. On Saturday, November 15th, Christine shared with her daughter that she would be leaving soon, expressing a sense of peace and readiness for her transition.

On November 16th, Christine entered her eternal rest in God’s Paradise reuniting with her loved ones. She departed surrounded by the love of her family, leaving behind a powerful legacy of faith and cherished memories that continue to comfort those who loved her. Christine’s memory lives on through her loving family, including her daughter Belinda Johnson of Romeoville, IL; Daughter in law Latrice Hudson; grandchildren Latonya Curry (Romeoville, IL), Keydra Curry (Bellwood, IL), John Curry and Nakeya Curry (Chicago, IL), Tai’Nesha and Anthony Robinson (Joliet, IL), Darian Smith-Powell (St. Cloud, MN), Ivin and Jeanne Powell III (St. Cloud, MN), and Ivory Walton Powell (Danville, IL); Step-Grandchildren Tim, Marcell, Precious, Anthony Hudson.Her legacy extends further to thirty-five great-grandchildren and three great-great-grandchildren. Christine is also survived by her sister Barbara Steward of Chicago, IL; two sisters-in-love, Genice Sullivan (Chicago, IL) and Loran Powell (Oak Park, IL), one brother-in-love, Cecil Lyles Sr. In addition, she leaves behind a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends whose lives she touched with her love  and compassion.

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