Jay Powell Bio, Wiki

Jay Powell is a Republican chairman of the Georgia House Rules Committee who is reported to have died suddenly collapsed and died on Monday morning November 25th, 2019 during a legislative leaders retreat at Brasstown Valley Resort & Spa, which is located just north of Young Harris. He was 67.

Powell was sworn into office in 2008 and has served in office since 2009. He represented House District 171 in Camilla, which includes portions of Colquitt, Decatur, and Mitchell counties. Powell previously served as chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee, the primary tax-writing committee.

Jay Powell Wife

He is survived by his wife, Deidra.

Jay Powell Death & Cause

Powell died on Monday morning November 25th, 2019 during a legislative leaders retreat at Brasstown Valley Resort & Spa, which is located just north of Young Harris. He was 67.

The Towns County Sheriff’s Office requested that the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) look into the death. GBI spokeswoman Nelly Miles said, “We should have more information available following an autopsy.”

Powell’s predecessor, Chairman John Meadows of Calhoun, died last November at age 74.

Jay Powell Tributes

Governor Brian Kemp in a tweet wrote, “Chairman Powell was a trusted leader and compassionate public servant whose work positively impacted countless people’s lives over the years. His loss is devastating to Georgia. The Kemp family asks everyone to lift up Jay’s loved ones, friends, and fellow legislators in prayer as they try to grapple with this tragedy.

Chairman Powell was a trusted leader and compassionate public servant whose work positively impacted countless people’s lives over the years. His loss is devastating to Georgia. (1/2) https://t.co/oSA3QKUbKU

— Governor Brian P. Kemp (@GovKemp) November 26, 2019

House Speaker David Ralston, a Republican from Blue Ridge, wrote a letter of his condolences. Ralston wrote,

“Dear Friends, It is with profound sadness and a broken heart that I write to inform you of the passing of our colleague, dear friend and brother Jay Powell. Jay collapsed last night at a Caucus leadership retreat, and from all indications, passed immediately. At this time of heartbreak, we take solace in the fact that our brother is now with out Los Jesus Christ. We life up his wife Deidra and his beloved family. We pray for God’s mercies and comfort for them. I know this loss touches us all and leaves a hole in our hearts and in the heart of our House family. Jay Powell served with integrity and his leadership truly moved Georgia forward. We will get through this together, with God’s grace. If you need anything, please reach our to one of our fellow members. We will support one another as we grieve and celebrate his life together.”