Rev. Chester Ray Powers age 64, of Trosper, was born on August 30, 1945 at Kay Jay. He was a son of the late Murphy Powers and Lillie Cecil Powers. Rev. Powers died Wednesday, September 9, 2009 at his residence. He was a member of the Little Poplar Creek Baptist Church. Rev. Powers was a well known Knox County Minister, having pastored at the Big Brush Missionary Baptist Church before becomming ill. He was a United States Army Veteran, serving his county during the Vietnam Conflict. On July 30, 1971, he united in marriage to Joan Kilgore and to this union, a dear daughter and son were born. Along with his parents, Rev. Powers was preceded in death by two brothers, Charlie Ryan and Wayne Powers.

Rev. Powers is survived by his beloved wife, Joan Kilgore Powers of Trosper; His children; Son, Shannon Powers and wife, Holly; daughter, Jeanne Mills and husband, Dennis all of Trosper; grandchildren; Kelsey, Caleb, Peyton and Hanah; His sisters; Joan Smith of Maynardville, Tennessee; Ramona Doering and husband, Ron of Merrill, Wisconsin; Ann Patterson and husband, Rev. Tom Patterson of Davis Bend and his brother, Hubert Powers of Kay Jay.

Funeral Services for Rev. Chester Ray Powers will be conducted in the Hopper Funeral Home Chapel, Saturday September 12, 2009 at 2:00 p.m. with Rev. Bill Gray, Rev. Dale Phipps and Rev. Tom Patterson officiating. Burial will follow in the Burch-Alford Cemetery at Artemus, with Family and Friends,Chris Powers, Doyle Gene Brooks, Keith Hembree, Tommy Patterson, Doug Bruce, Brian Hamilton, Robert Dunnaway and Doug Broughton serving as pallbearers. Honorary Pallbearers will be: all family members and friends and his Church Family at the Big Brush Missionary Baptist Church. Friends will be received at the Hopper Funeral Home, Friday 4:00 to 9:00 p.m. and Saturday after 10:00 a.m. until the hour of service at 2:00 p.m. Hopper Funeral Home is in charge of all arrangements.