Celebration of Life held for Whiteville High School student

WHITEVILLE, NC (WWAY) — A Celebration of Life was held at Whiteville High School on Saturday for former student Kaiden Powell.

Last week, Powell and three other Whiteville High School students were involved in a crash near Chadbourn Highway and Sunset Terrace. Powell was a rising junior and played for Whiteville’s Junior Varsity football team.

Hundreds attended the service including family, friends, teammates and Whiteville High School staff. Several who attended spoke on their relationship with Powell and what they will remember most about it.

Senior pastor Shawin E. DuBois of the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church, who was also Powell’s uncle, was one of the speakers during the Celebration of Life. He said Powell will truly be missed by many.

“Today was a surreal moment. In the midst of the tragedy we faced seven days ago, this being the eighth day, the life that was lost gained multiple lives. We don’t celebrate in this loss, we are hurting. Being the eulogist today, we celebrate his life and what impact his life and witness made on this community and throughout the world.”

DuBois mentioned during the service that a scholarship would be established in Powell’s name. Powell’s brother would be the first to receive it, with his sister receiving it the following year.