Parris Powers

OLMSTED, Ill. -- Parris Foster Powers, 59, of Goodletsville, Tennessee, was born June 27, 1957, in St. Louis. Parris passed away at 9:40 a.m. Tuesday, June 28, 2016, at the Skyline Hospital in Nashville, Tennessee.

Parris was a 1975 graduate of Meridian 101 High School in Mounds, Illinois. During his years at Meridian, he was active in science and speech classes. Due to his asthma, he could not take part in active sports, but he became a member of Coach Jim Byassee's Bobcats basketball teams by being the official scorekeeper for five years, starting when he was in eighth grade.

Parris earned both his bachelor of science and master of science degrees from Tennessee State University in Nashville. In 1991, he started his teaching career at Volunteer State Community College in Nashville, where he was a well-loved and respected chemistry professor.

Searching for and collecting rocks and fossils was a lifelong interest. Parris was an avid reader and became a seasonal traveler. Professor Powers, by himself or with some of his students, traveled across the United States, representing Volunteer State. These travels included a trip to Ireland for three weeks in May 2015 for Parris and four students.

Parris is survived by his son, Christian Foster, and wife, Allison Powers, of Atlanta; his daughter, Summer Powers of Nashville; his father, Dr. Marvin F. Powers of Paducah, Kentucky; his mother, Ledillon Patrick Powers of Olmsted; his sister, Lisa, and husband, Steve Dowd, of Birmingham, Alabama; and brothers, Stacy and wife, Teresa Powers, of Anna, Illinois, and Patrick and wife, Christy Powers, of Royalton, Illinois. He also is survived by nieces, Taylor Powers and Aaren Sunderman, as well as a large host of friends.

A gathering of friends and family to share memories and to celebrate the life of Professor Parris Foster Powers will be from 10 a.m. until noon Saturday at Wilson Funeral Home in Karnak, Illinois.

A memorial service will be held at noon at the funeral home, with the Rev. Steve Heisner officiating.

Inurnment will be at a later date.

Memorials may be directed to Meridian 101 High School Science Department, c/o Lawanda Green, 1401 Mounds Road, Mounds, IL 62964. Envelopes will be provided at the funeral home.

To leave an online message or to share a memory with the family, please visit wilsonfuneralhome1928.com.