Powers To Be Honored Upon Retirement

The congregation of the First Baptist Church, Ardmore, will honor RC Powers Sunday, March 5, upon his retirement as music minister of the church. The service will begin at 6:15 p.m. in the church sanctuary. Special guests for the evening will be the former Carpenter's Tools choir members. RC has worked in the music department of the church since 1972 and has served as the music minister of First Baptist Church since 1977.

A 1954 graduate of Ardmore High School, RC is the son of the late Eldren and Lola Powers of the Coffee Pot community. RC grew up in a family with nine


Members of the Carpenter's Tools children's choir in 1974 who will be the special guests at a retirement service honoring RC Powers on Sunday, March 5, at 6:15 p.m. at First Baptist Church of Ardmore are from left, front row, Jana Bland, Susie Horton, Michael Harwell, Diane Johnson, Johnny Dollar, Chris Groves, Sonya Smith, Barry Faulk, Micki Kidd, Sheree Magnusson; second row, Molly Lewter, Renee Smith, Meleah Lankford, Karen Steele, Kerri Magnusson, Nancy Pajak, Sabrina Miller, Leah Lewter, Phyllis Faulk, Valerie Tapscott; third row, Carol Horton, Kelly Lewter, Christy Broadway, Jessica Horton, Dewana Davis, Kevin Davis, Steve Dollar, Chris Miller, Jamie Campbell, Johnny Wayne Hobbs, Tracy Magnusson, Monica Magnusson, Darla Magnusson, Jennifer Powers; fourth row, RC Powers, Patti Powers. (courtesy photo)

children, most of whom were musically inclined. His siblings played a variety of instruments including harmonica, guitar, piano, auto harp, and the accordion. All of the siblings are deceased now except his brother, Calvin.

After high school, RC graduated from Athens State College in 1958 with a B.S. in Social Sciences and Physical Education. In 1960 he graduated from Peabody College with a Masters in Administration and Physical Education. RC served as the Ardmore Postmaster from 1962 until 1993. He was actively involved in the Lions Club for approximately 20 years.

He and wife Jone (now deceased) came to First Baptist Church of Ardmore in the early 1960's from the Concord Baptist Church. RC began working in church music because as a former high school football, basketball, and baseball coach, he wanted an activity to share with his three little girls.

He started his first children's choir in 1972. The choir became known as The Carpenter's Tools in 1974. The name came from a song the children's choir sang. Later when the choir became so large it had to be divided into older and younger children the name was dropped. Other choirs were started along the way, such as the Preschool Choir and a Young Adult Ensemble, which consisted of some of the original Carpenter's Tools members. RC returned to college in the mid 1970's and earned an Associate's Degree in Music from Calhoun State Community College.

In 1977, RC became the Minister of Music at First Baptist Church. At one time, he had five choirs under his direction while still working as Postmaster. These choirs included the Preschool Choir, Children's Choir, Youth Choir, Young Adult Ensemble, and the Adult Choir. RC also served as a deacon for many years.

RC and wife Nell have six children, Patti Plunkett, Linda Rolin, Jennifer Rolin, Kim Campbell, Daniel Newton and Clint Newton. They have 10 grandchildren, Daniel Plunkett, Rebekah Plunkett, Mary Plunkett, Rachel Rolin, Savannah Rolin, Jacob Rolin, Garrett Newton, Cayden Newton, Jackson Campbell and Maggie Campbell.

"We would like to invite everyone to attend as RC is honored for his years of dedication and service to the Lord and First Baptist Church Sunday, March 5, at 6:15 p.m.," said Pastor Sammy Brister.

A dinner will be held following the service in the Family Life Center.