Walter Lee “Big Boy” Powell, Sr.

MICRO — Walter Lee “Big Boy” Powell Sr., 87, passed away peacefully on September 19, 2026. He was born a twin on July 13, 1939 to Ruth and Silas Lee Powell of Lucama. A beloved brother to five sisters, Big Boy was ever a charmer. From early childhood, his days were spent working the family farm—as was common for most locals of this generation. He graduated from Lucama High School in 1957, and the nickname his parents gave him, “Big Boy,” followed him into adulthood, eventually becoming the namesake of his life’s work. To those who knew him, this name perfectly embodied his personality and charisma. Known for his love of fast Fords he lived to work hard and enjoy life to the fullest. He loved his family dearly and was immensely proud of his children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews. Most importantly, God’s grace was upon him in his later years bringing him great comfort and assurance through his profession of faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.

Big Boy attended Mt. Olive College where he met Audrey Powell of Pink Hill. They married in 1961 and shared three children. While their marriage ended, they eventually found a precious and loving friendship with one another. In 1973, with the help of his father, he leased a Gulf Service Station in Lucama on Hwy 301 that would become the start of his legacy. With a lot of hard work and a little bit of luck, he found great success with his stations on the highway. In the late 70’s he took the opportunity to move his business to Selma at exit 97 at the intersection of I-95 and Hwy 70 where his young sons and nieces began working shifts, helping to cement Big Boy’s Truckstop as a true family operated business.

In 1991, Frank Holden, a local banker, approached him with an opportunity to expand at exit 105 in Kenly where it stands today– a mainstay of the community. In his golden years, Big Boy met his sweetheart, Teresa Pate, with whom he enjoyed traveling and watching auto racing of any kind. He cherished family lunches at the restaurant and opportunities to visit with friends and customers at the store. Big Boy will be most remembered for his friendly and charming demeanor, his deep love of family, and his spirit of generosity towards others.

He is preceded in death by his parents Silas and Ruth Powell of Lucama, his darling daughter, Laura Gaye Powell of Lucama and Pink Hill, his twin brother William Powell, sister Fannie Lee Wall and her husband Cecil of Pikeville, sister Mary G Pender and her husband Benton of Pikeville, sister Martha May Aycock and her husband Oscar of Lucama, sister Nancy Pittman, and brother-in-law Wayne Aycock both of Lucama.

Big Boy is survived by his beloved companion, Teresa Pate of Micro; his sister, Eva Aycock of Lucama, his sons; Walter Lee Powell Jr. and wife Wendi of Lucama, Robert Stroud Powell and wife Denise of Kenly, and their mother, Audrey Stroud Powell of Pink Hill; his grandchildren, Jodi Cobb (Brentley) of Lucama, Walter Lee Powell III (Colleen) of Clayton, Jami Jones (Clay) of Lucama, Chancey Larsen (Dylan) of Oregon, and Ezekiel Powell of Kenly; his great-grandchildren, Tag Cobb, Story Cobb, Atlas Cobb, Sky Jones, and Axel Jones all of Lucama, Walter Lee Powell IV of Clayton, and Vallie Larsen of Oregon; as well as many cherished nieces and nephews, particularly Angela Capps of Lucama, Crystal Jackson of Kenly, and Debbie Aycock of Lucama, who all began working for him directly out of school. Big Boy was blessed with a large and wonderful family as well as many friends and customers who became like family to him. He was also privileged to be cared for by Dr. Hal Woodall of Kenly, whom he counted as a dear friend to the end.

The family will receive friends for a time of visitation on Tuesday, September 22, 2026 from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at Kenly Funeral Service. A celebration of life will be held on Wednesday, September 23, 2026 at 5:00 p.m. at The Farm at 95, located at 215 Batten Road, Selma NC. A private interment will take place on Thursday September 24, 2026.

The family is in the care of Kenly Funeral and Cremation Service.