Bro. E. Powell Bey

Bro. E. Powell Bey was the only boy born to Ernest and Grace Powell on August 9, 1929 in the Morningside neighborhood of Pittsburgh, PA.  His family included his beloved sisters Corlene "Winky" (Donald), Gloria (Henry), Margaret (Raymond) and Grace.  He attended Westinghouse High School, then Connelley Trade School, where he studied art.  In 1948, he entered the Army and served  as a Private First Class in the 82nd Airborne.  He was honorably discharged in 1949, after which he started a 31-year career at the U.S. Postal Service.  There he won several awards, and was promoted to Driver Instructor and Supervisor.

Bro. E. Powell Bey and Mabel Walker first met when they were 10 years old in Penn Township, where they both attended Lincoln Park Elementary.  Many years later, they reconnected and eventually became husband and wife.  This union produced five children, Dwight (Susanna), Ernestine (James), Robert, Ernest Jr. (Deirdre), and Donna.  He spent every dime and often times went broke treating his family to gifts and new experiences - fishing trips, a visit to the World's Fair, meetings at other Temples, toys, instruments, and weekly pizza and ice cream outings.

In 1959, Bro. E. Powell Bey proclaimed his nationality and birthright by uniting in the Moorish Science Temple of America, and accepting Allah as his God.  He was nationalized by Bro C. Johnson Bey, Grand Sheik, of Temple #5.  He embraced the teachings of Prophet Noble Drew Ali Reincarnated from that time until his passing.

Bro. E. Powell Bey continued creating memories with his grandchildren, Brooke (Buddy), Kirk (Taryn), Darnell (Tricia), Delee, Juliet, Nicole, Orissa, Nyota, Isaiah and Benares and a host of great-grandchildren.  He shared hours of stories on the front porch swing, packed them in his classic cars for trips to the park, and gave them sips from his water jug, which his grandchildren affectionately called "Lil' Bit".

After retirement, he started a food ministry to feed people in communities around Pittsburgh, which he continued for over 20 years.  He fed hundreds of people, families and senior citizens during this time, greeting them with a smile, and calling even complete strangers, "my friend."  On June 10, 2016 at 11:30 a.m., Allah called his spirit.  He is survived by his wife, children, grandchildren, sister, nieces, nephew and great-grandchildren.

Bro. E. Powell Bey taught everyone around to hold good thoughts, because "a good thought is a prayer."  His family gives their sincere thanks to everyone for their good thoughts as we celebrate his life, and the legacy he created.  The family also wants to thank the teacher and members of the Moorish Science Temple of america for their love and support over the years.