Helping celebrate Dee Powell’s retirement are the school transportation staff Pictured L-R back row are McNeal Lewis, Marilyn Finch, Marcus Steele, Sara Ann Peeble, Leslie Carlise, and Velma Nickson. Front row are Christina Carter, Bessie Underwood, James “Dee” Powell and Teresa Hill.

James “Dee” Powell was honored at a reception recently following his retirement from the Transportation Department of the Greene County School System.  Powell was initially hired as a mechanic in 1986 and continued to serve in various leadership positions with the department and the system’s support personnel organization.

In 2001 Powell was named Transportation Supervisor and served in that role beyond his initial retirement date in August 2011, when then Interim Superintendent Emma Louie asked him to continue on for a brief time as the school system underwent various leadership transitions.

Powell and his wife Katie Jones Powell, Sumter County School Superintendent, have three grown children, Jennifer, Brandi and Paul and two grandchildren, Kaden Prince Jones and Jessica Reeve.

The special recognition for Powell was sponsored by the employees of the Greene County Transportation Department with many additional school system personnel and friends in attendance.  Mr. Harry Means, Dee’s first transportation supervisor in Greene County, was among the friends honoring Dee. Powell’s daughters and grandchildren shared in the special occasion.  Mrs. Joyce Steele created the special cake with its top layer designed as a yellow school bus.