Asa Mitchell Powell

Mr. Asa Mitchell "Mitch" Powell Jr., local civic leader of Newnan and Coweta County, died Friday, November 17, 2006, at his home in Newnan. Mr. Powell was born June 2, 1953, in Newnan. He was a 1971 graduate of Newnan High School, where he played football and was president of the drama club, winning Best Actor at the State One Act Competition in 1970 for his portrayal of Shylock in a cutting of "The Merchant of Venice." He also attended the Georgia Governor's Honors Program as a theater major in 1969. He earned a B.A. in Political Science and Philosophy from Shorter College in Rome, where he met his wife, Anne Quinn of Chickamauga, Ga. He graduated from Walter F. George School of Law, Mercer University in Macon, Ga., and began practicing law in Newnan with Sanders, Mottola, and Haugen. In 1985, the Powells moved to Boston for Mr. Powell to pursue a Master's of Theological Studies at Harvard University, where he studied ethics and the law. After graduating in 1987, he returned to Newnan to join the law practice of Glover Davis, where he was a partner at the time of his death. J. Littleton Glover Jr., a partner of Mr. Powell's in the firm of Glover Davis, said, "Mitch was one of the most outstanding lawyers in this area. Not only were his legal skills superior, but more importantly, his judgment and demeanor were professional in every aspect. I never heard anyone with whom he dealt, whether an adversary or not, do anything but praise the manner in which he practiced law and dealt with others. Losing him will be a huge loss for not only our firm but also the legal community of west Georgia and the state." Mr. Powell served Coweta County in many capacities. He was county attorney from January 1988 until the present, overseeing the legal aspects of the county through its period of largest growth. In 2004, he was elected to the Coweta County School Board and was selected to serve as its chair, guiding the board through a period of realignment. He served as the attorney for the Development Authority since 2004, and he was city magistrate in Peachtree City from 1992-2002. "Mitch was one of the finest people to ever work for Coweta County," said Mr. Theron Gay, Coweta County Administrator. "He was very honest and fair and always had the best interests of the county and its citizens at heart. He had a calming effect on often highly emotional issues that we faced. He will be missed by all." Coweta County Commission Chairman Mr. Greg Tarbutton said of Mr. Powell: "Mitch was always at his best when he was serving other people, which was most of the time. Not only will he be missed, but Coweta County will be far poorer without his presence to guide us." Mr. Powell served on the boards of CORRAL (Coweta Organization for Riding, Rehabilitation and Learning) and NCARC/Rutledge, which serves developmentally delayed and intellectually disabled individuals of Newnan and Coweta County. An avid sporting clay aficionado, he traveled throughout the Southeast to various events, once participating in the New York Vintage Shoot. A memorial service is planned for Monday, Nov. 20 at 2 p.m., in the sanctuary of Central Baptist Church in downtown Newnan, with visitation to follow in the fellowship hall. In lieu of flowers, please make any memorial contributions to NCARC/Rutledge, Inc., 61 Hospital Road, Newnan, GA 30263, or to CORRAL, 52 Oliver Potts Road, Newnan, GA 30263. He is survived by his parents, Asa and Grace Powell; his wife, Anne Quinn Powell; his sister, Grace Powell Freeman, and her husband, Bob; his mother-in-law, Lantie Quinn; his sister-in-law, Jane Quinn, and her husband, Jeff McCarthy; his brother-in-law, Carl Quinn, and his wife, Pam. He is also survived by seven very loving nieces and nephews: Powell and Lewis Freeman; Andrew, Allyson, Anna and Alex Quinn; and Quinn McCarthy. Online Condolences may be expressed at www.McKoon.com McKoon Funeral Home (770) 253-4580

Asa Mitchell Powell

May 2, 1953 - November 17, 2006