Charley Clayton Powers

Charlie Clayton "Pop" Powers

September 17, 1943 - May 2, 2025

" Pop's Restaurant Founder and the Rock of His Family"

With heavy hearts, we announce the passing of Charlie Clayton "Pop" Powers on Friday, May 2, 2025, at the age of 81, in Kingsport, Tennessee. His battle with health issues in recent years showed his courage in facing life's challenges with a smile. Despite the pain, Pop stayed strong until the very end.

Clayton entered this world on September 17, 1943, as the fifth child of the late Charles Powers and the late Lola Smith Powers in Dickenson County, Virginia. Eventually, his family moved to Mendota, Virginia, where he began a lifelong journey through careers as a merchant, salesman, manager, and food service professional. Ultimately, in 1996, he leaned on his experience and wisdom to become the proud proprietor of "Pop's Restaurant" in Kingsport, Tennessee, becoming a source of strength, love, and inspiration to all who worked alongside him. He retired in 2019, allowing him more time for the simple pleasures he loved - long scenic drives, relaxing picnics, Minnesota Vikings football, and NASCAR.

In 1961, he married his first wife, Rita Collier Powers Davenport. In 1984, he married Linda Crawford Pritt Powers. Both unions were blessings that shaped the course of his life.

Family was everything to Pop. His greatest pride and joy was found in the time he spent with those he loved. His face always lit up immediately when one of them walked in the room. He is, and always will be the kindest, most genuine man anyone has ever met. He was blessed with four children, seven grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren, each one he loved and cherished in a special way. He taught us the true meaning of unconditional love, showing not by grand words, but by being there day in and day out. He taught that love endures all things, believes all things, and hopes all things. As a father and grandfather he was our confidant, offering a listening ear and sage advice when we needed it most. Encouraging us when we were weak and believing in us when we could not see our own strength. He was also loved and cherished in his community, caring for those around him more than he cared for himself. Pop possessed a rare gift - the ability to make each person that crossed his path feel valued, seen, accepted and loved.

Those left to cherish his memory : Son, Randy Powers and wife Pam (Mendota, VA) Daughter, Tracey Powers Bumgardner (Kingsport, TN), Son, James Pritt (Blountville, TN), Daughter, April Pritt Rigsby (Kingsport, TN), Six grandchildren: Candace Bennett (and husband Brent Bennett), Sarah Powers, Dillon Rigsby, Cheyenne Rigsby, Olivia Pritt, Alyssa Pritt, Two great-grandchildren: Connor Bennett and Kellan Bennett, One sister, Shirlene Rasnake, Several loving nieces and nephews

He is preceded in death by his parents, Charles Powers and Lola Smith Powers; first wife, Rita Collier Powers Davenport; second wife, Linda Crawford Pritt Powers; granddaughter, Aubrey Rigsby; son-in-law, Dale Bumgardner; brother, Freddie Powers; sisters, Vern Green and Jean Powers.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Thursday, May 8, 2025, at Trinity Memorial Funeral Home in Kingsport, TN. Visitation will be from 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM, with service to follow.

Honorary Pallbearers: Brent Bennett, Connor Bennett, Kellan Bennett, Dillon Rigsby, Brad Perry, Ricky Meade, Joe Barringer, and Sean McClellan.

Trinity Memorial Centers Funeral Home (423-723-8177) is honored to serve the family, online condolences can be shared with the family on our website at www.trinitymemorialcenters.com.