Orlando Powe

Orlando LeShon Powe was born March 3, 1970, in Akron, Ohio to the late Billy Covington and Willa E. Johnson. He graduated from Central-Hower High School with a concentration in commercial arts. His family members and childhood friends called him “Shon”, classmates knew him as “Orlando”, but most people lovingly called him “Powe.” No matter how you knew him, you knew that he was a gentle giant and allaround good dude. He was a fun-loving person who made sure people were “alright.” He absolutely adored his sons, he loved his family and friends, and he loved his R&B music.

He was preceded in death by his grandparents: Everett and Mitzie Covington and Willa Mae Powe; father: Billy Covington; uncles: Larry Covington, Michael Covington, Andre Powe; aunts: JoAnne “Jo” Powe-Truitt, Jacqueline “Jackie” Powe-Dowdy; siblings: Jasaun Johnson, Orlando “Lanny” Wheat, Shawn Mills; best friends: Tony Rollins, Jimmy Foster; and God-son Elijah Amos. He leaves to cherish his memory his loving mother: Willa E. “Meda” Johnson and aunt: Jill Harris, both of Denver, CO., uncles: Bobby Covington of Akron, OH, Gary (Raquel) Covington and Jimmy Covington both of AL; brothers: Darryl Johnson of Clairesville, OH, Henry “HD” (Makeba) Davis, Billy “BJ” Covington both of Akron, OH, and sisters: Delrica “Rica” (Corey) Grubbs of Columbus, OH, Sharee Mills and Marissa Covington both of Akron, OH, sons: DeVonte Bennett and Jaylin Clark both of Akron, OH and daughter: Dominque (Montanize, Sr.) Woods of South Korea; grandchildren: Danayshia, Karter, DeVonte Jr, Aiyden, Lonnie, Leslie, Merziaha, Meela, Marleenana, and Montanize Jr.; nephew: Kenny; and nieces: Rhea, Sydnee, and Marica. He also leaves special friends: LeConia “Coney” King, Shalaunda Reese, Stephanie Rollins, Aaron Ivery, Jr., Reggie Wilson, and Fred Henderson along with special cousin: Willa Powe and a host of other family and friends. Powe worked at the 7-Up Bottling Company.

In 2001 he was wrongly convicted of a crime he did not commit. For 20 years he maintained his innocence and mentored inmates while working to clear his name. He looked forward to coming home to spend time with his family (especially his mother, sons, and grandkids), purchasing a F150 truck, working, traveling, and becoming a spokesperson for the Innocence Project to help inmates and families with wrongful convictions. Powe wanted to go to the ocean and the mountains and settle down. Now he is in a better place. FREE.