Darrell Hubert Powell, 74, of McNeely Drive, Valdese, died unexpectedly Monday, Sept. 9, 2013, at Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center in Winston-Salem. Mr. Powell was born Sept. 14, 1938, in Burke County, to the late Robert Lee Powell and Mary Etta Watts Powell. He was a graduate of Drexel High School in 1958, where he was well known as an athlete, playing as a running back on the football team, played baseball for Drexel High, and is known in history as one of North Carolina's best boxers. He was a semi-pro boxer and was the N.C. Golden Gloves Champion, and went to the Olympics where he roomed with Muhammad Ali. He won 133 fights in his boxing career, three were tied, and was defeated only twice nationally. Once defeated in Las Vegas by George Chuvalo, and once in Madison Square Garden, both only by decision. He holds the fastest knock out in Golden Gloves history which was only three seconds into the fight. He was retired from the N.C. Department of Transportation as a supervisor, and was a member of Pleasant View Baptist Church. In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by five brothers, Lewis Powell, Dolphus Powell, Edward Powell, Tillman Powell, J.C. Powell; and two sisters, Elsie Shell and Ann Williams. Survivors include his brothers, Robert L. Powell of Morganton and Charles Powell of Aiken, S.C.; four sisters, Mary Bailey of Morganton, Verlie Lambert of Morganton, Louise Owens of Morganton, and Ethel Pearson of Lenoir; also surviving is a son, Rockey Powell of Morganton; two grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 12, in the Burke Memorial Park Mausoleum Chapel. Officiating will be the Rev. David Orders. The family will receive friends this evening (Wednesday, Sept. 11), from 6 to 7:30 p.m., at Heritage Funeral Service in Valdese. Memorial contributions may be made to the North Carolina Boxing Commission "In Memory of Darrell H. Powell," 4701 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC 27699. An online guestbook and obituary is available at www.heritagefuneral services.com. Heritage Funeral Service & Crematory of Valdese is serving the Powell family.