John Henry Prowell

John Henry Prowell, known lovingly as JP, was the only child born to the union of ComMurry and Odessa Prowell on May 7, 1940, in Omar, Logan County, West Virginia. He was educated in the Logan County School System and graduated from Aracoma High School in 1958. Following graduation, John Henry proudly served in the U.S. Army Reserves, receiving an honorable discharge. In 1959, he moved to Atlantic City, New Jersey, where he resided for several years and began a union of marriage with Allenia E. Workman of Charleston, West Virginia. A few years later, he relocated his family to Detroit, Michigan. As life unfolded, his first marriage ended, and John Henry later met his second wife, Lois Simmons of Waukegan, Illinois. He moved to Waukegan, where he lovingly embraced the role of stepfather, helping to raise her children. After this marriage concluded, he returned to Detroit, where he met and married his third wife, Vita Ann Askew, once again stepping into the role of devoted stepfather to her children. John Henry made Detroit his home for more than 30 years. During that time, he held several job positions, including Outer Drive Hospital and Detroit Diesel, and ultimately retired from the State of Michigan. He enjoyed many rich years of retirement, spending his time cooking, bowling, attending car shows, traveling, and enjoying the company of family and friends. Even after retiring, he continued to drive a tour bus for a period of time. He loved watching old cowboy westerns and cherished long phone conversations with his cousin Virginia (“Baby Jennie”) of Atlanta, Georgia, reminiscing about their childhood. Most of all, John Henry loved telling stories about the family—who was who, who belonged to whom, and how everyone was connected. In 2013, he relocated to Charlotte, North Carolina, where he remained until his passing. John Henry was preceded in death by his parents, ComMurry and Odessa Prowell of Pleasantville, New Jersey; Dana Johnson of Dayton, Ohio; Shekita Prowell of Detroit, Michigan; Vita Ann Prowell of Ecorse, Michigan; and Robert Mitchell and Elizabeth Simmons of Waukegan, Illinois. He leaves behind to continue his legacy: Allenia E. Prowell and Michael Prowell of Kannapolis, NC; Terri T. Prowell, Victoria D. Prowell, Toni R. (Bernard) Sampson, Jasmon Thompson, and Jonathon Prowell of Charlotte, NC; Lois Prowell, Velma Quinn, and Roger Simmons of Waukegan, IL; Benjamin Crawford, LaJuana (Carl) McCaskill, Alvin Askew, and Marvetta Pryor of Ecorse, MI; Jamal Thompson of Charleston WV, and Joshua Merritt (Nikita)DeBarros of Weymouth Mass; Lacey Prowell of (San Francisco, CA;) a host of grandchildren, great-grandchildren, an aunt, cousins, and countless friends who loved him dearly.

John Henry Prowell

May 7, 1940 - November 27, 2025