Julius Lee Popwell

Julius Lee Popwell, age 87, passed away on Wednesday evening, September 2, 2015 at Phoebe Sumter Medical Center in Americus. A memorial service will be held at 2:00 PM on Saturday, September 5, from the chapel of Hancock Funeral Home, 427 S. Lee St. Father Don Hutchens will officiate. Interment will follow at Pleasant Grove Methodist Cemetery in Clanton, AL at a later time. Julius Popwell was born in Clanton, AL on April 3, 1928, a son of the late Walter L. Popwell and the late Toni Klinner Popwell. He was a successful farmer in the New Era community and in Venezuela. He was president of the Sumter County Farm Bureau, president of the Americus Optimist Club, president of Georgia Crop Improvement, and he was a director on the board of Foundation Seeds, Inc. In 1957 he was named Georgia's top cotton farmer, earning membership into the exclusive Bale and a Half Cotton Club. He was on the first Americus High School State Champions football team in 1944, and he also played football at the University of Georgia from 1946-1948. Julius Popwell is survived by his children: John E. Popwell and Trish of Americus, Clyde M. Popwell of Chipley, FL, and Virginia D. Spear and Steve of Greeley, CO; and by his sister, Betty Jean Sheffield of Montgomery, AL. He is also survived by ten grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. Julius Popwell was preceded in death by his parents; by his siblings: Jettie Smith, Clyde M. Popwell, Tipton Popwell, Willie Crumpton Brown, George W. Popwell, Delene Johnson Blocker, Walter "Buster" Popwell; by a son, Julius Lee Popwell, Jr.; and by his wife, Mary Edna Popwell. For those wishing to do so, memorial contributions can be made to a charity of one's choice. Family and friends will be received at 505 S. Lee St. following the memorial service on Saturday. To sign our online guestbook and express your condolences to the family, please visit www.hancockfuneralhomeinc.com Hancock Funeral Home, 427 S. Lee St., is honored to be entrusted with these arrangements for Mr. Julius Lee Popwell.