Shawn Duncan Powell, daughter of the late Antoinette Yvonne Hairston and George David Duncan, was born July 29, 1962 in Winston-Salem, NC. She departed this life on Sunday, January 8, 2012 after an extended illness.

Shawn attended St. Benedict Academy Grammar and would go on to graduate as an honors student from East Forsyth Sr. High School in 1980. Shawn was very active: academically, socially, and athletically. She was baptized at an early age and was a member of Middle Fork Christian Church where she served faithfully on the Young Adult Choir and the Junior Usher Board. During her teen years, she was a member of a popular local group, "The Satin Dolls", a sisterhood with her beloved cousins and closest friends. Shawn was also an avid tennis and soccer player, having placed in several tennis finals for East Forsyth High School. She would later go on to play with the Washington DC Tennis League for several years.

Traditionally, as several close family members have done prior and post, Shawn selected North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, Greensboro, NC. Assertively, she chose to pursue a double major: Business Administration and Accounting. In 1984 Shawn graduated Summa Cum Laude (with highest honors), obtaining a dual Bachelor of Science degree from NC A&T SU and later went onto receive a Master of Science Degree-Finance Accounting from New York's Wagner University.

During her junior year, Shawn was initiated into the Alpha Phi Undergraduate Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., whose membership worldwide is comprised of distinguished women who boast excellent academic records, proven leadership skills, and are involved in the global community through advocacy and service. Shawn pledged AKA on the esteemed Fall of 1982 "Pacifier Line" as "Ivy#19" with 20 of her beloved line-sisters who will later this year celebrate their lifetime bond of 30 years and counting. Greek affiliation or not, she continued to win many other lifetime friends at NC A&T with her southern congeniality and warm spirit.

After graduation, Shawn received an offer from Washington, DC to begin a career with the United States Government. Initially she worked for the US Department of Transportation Navy Coastguards for eight years, then the District of Columbia Government The Commission on Mental Health at St. Elizabeth Hospital, and most recently the Department of Energy as a Contract Officer. Shawn held a productive career as a federal servant, retiring after an extensive 28 years due to a declination in her health.Shawn was united in Holy Matrimony April 24, 2005 to Gregory L. Powell, Jr. This union was blessed with their beautiful daughter, Antoinette. She was a member of the Spirit of Faith Christian Church in Temple Hills, MD. She loved the Lord with all her heart, which was evident by the way she treated her family and fellowmen. Her caring and generous nature was unsurpassed and her inspirational memory will endure through all who loved her.

Shawn Duncan Powell leaves a legacy of love and strength as a memory of her life to her husband, Gregory Lamont Powell, Jr.; her precious little daughter, Little Miss Antoinette Denise Powell; one step-son, Gregory Lamont Powell III; her father, Mr. George David Duncan of Sherman, TX; mother-in-law, Mrs. Rula Swann; step-father-in-law, Mr. Edsel Swann of Clinton, MD; father-in-law, Mr. Gregory Lamont Powell, Sr. and step-mother-in-law, Mrs. Melony Powell of Washington, DC; one brother, Mr. Antonio Marnez Thompson of Winston-Salem, NC; two sisters, Ms. Bertina Duncan and Mrs. Tarah Duncan Gilliam of Winston-Salem, NC; one brother-in-law, Mr. Ethan D. Powell, Esq. of Owens Mills, MD; four aunts, a devoted aunt-Mrs. Bobbie H. Miller, Mrs. Wilma H. Wheeler (Oliver) both of Winston-Salem, NC, Mrs. Doris D. Taylor of Washington, DC, and Mrs. Evelyn D. McCarter of Palm Bay, FL; three uncles, Mr. Henry H. Hairston, Sr. (Elizabeth), Reverend Gary B. Hairston of Winston-Salem, NC and Mr. Larry E. Hairston (Sandra) of Durham, NC; one great-uncle, Mr. Henry L. Clinton of New York, NY; three devoted cousins, Mrs. Lynette H. Haynes and Mrs. Deidra Carter of Washington, DC and Mr. Marlin Brannon of the home; three nieces, two nephews, numerous cousins and a host of family members and close friends.

Funeral services will be held at 1pm Saturday, January 14, 2012 at Middle Fork Christian Church with Reverend Gary B. Hairston officiating. Interment will follow in Evergreen Cemetery. The family visitation will be held from 12noon until 1pm on Saturday at the Church.