On Saturday, February 11, 2012, my husband and I attended the celebration of life honoring Susan Cox Powell's sons, seven year old Charlie and five year old Braden.
Normally, my husband and I don't go to funerals. We don't like them. But I've been following the story of Susan's disappearance in the Salt Lake Tribune since December 2009. We decided to go and show our support for the Cox famiy, Terrica Powell, and the Graves family.
Two funerals were held for Susan's boys on Saturday. More than one thousand people, including my husband and me, attended the funeral held in the morning at the Life Center Church in Tacoma. A second service was held at the LDS church in Puyallup in the afternoon.
The Westboro Baptist Church had announced that they intended to picket the service. A member of the Phelps family said that God allowed the boys to die because He is angry because our state legalized gay marriage. Why the Westboro Baptists think people are stupid enough to believe their nonsense is beyond me. Fortunately, the Phelps cancelled their plans shortly before the funeral.
About 100 bikers attended the funeral at the Life Center Church. The words "Gargoyles -- Protectors of Children" and "Bikers Against Child Abuse" blazed across the backs of their black leather jackets. I was grateful to see the bikers there. I felt that their presence helped to keep the Westboro Baptists and other troublemakers away. A small group of women and children carrying red balloons and signs which said "Love... Love... Love" stood across the street from the church.
The service itself was beautiful. Life Center Church's senior pastor, Dean Curry, welcomed the Cox and Powell families and the guests. He stated that the service would focus "two beautiful boys," and it did. Pastor Tim, who is a friend of the Cox family, led the opening prayer. Tears ran down my cheeks when a children's choir sang "Amazing Grace." A video presentation displayed photos of Charlie and Braden with their mother and other family members. Charlie's kindergarten teacher gave a speech in which she shared her happy memories of him. The boys attended a YMCA day camp in Washington. Braden's day camp counselor gave a talk about him. The boys' lives were short, but they touched so many hearts.
Kirk Graves, Joshua Powell's brother-in-law, led the benediction. At the end of the service, Judy and Chuck Cox thanked the guests for coming. Both appeared to be calm and composed, which was surprising because they have lost their daughter and two young grandsons. If I had been in Judy Cox's shoes, I don't think I would have been able to handle the funeral as well as she did.
As you may know, Susan Cox Powell has been missing from her home in West Valley City, Utah since December 2009. She is presumed by many to be dead. Her husband, Joshua Powell, claimed that he took his young sons on a winter camping trip during the middle of the night. He said that when they returned to their home, his wife was gone. Shortly after Susan disappeared, Josh and the boys moved into his father's home in Puyallup, Washington.
Josh's father, Steve Powell, was arrested several months ago for child pornography and voyeurism. He remains in jail. Joshua Powell murdered the boys and committed suicide on February 5, 2012.
If you would like to make a donation to Charlie and Braden Powell's memorial fund, you may do so at any branch of Wells Fargo Bank.
Rest in peace, Charlie and Braden.
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