Verlinda Lee Powell

It is with deep sorrow that we share the passing of Verlinda L. Powell (52), of South Euclid, Ohio. Verlinda passed away peacefully in her sleep on Friday October 24, 2025. She was born on January 11, 1973, in Cleveland, Ohio to Kenneth G. and Mae R. (Leonard) Powell. Verlinda worked for the Cleveland City Prosecutor, where she was First Assistant Prosecutor. She was taken from us far too soon, leaving behind a profound void with her family, friends, loved ones and an even great loss to the community she served so passionately. Verlinda was a proud graduate of Oberlin College, where she served as class president and recently led the planning and celebration of her class reunion. Her leadership was evident even in her college years, and she remained a guiding force for her peers throughout her life. After Oberlin, Verlinda earned her law degree from Case Western Reserve University. During law school she worked as a victim’s advocate, supporting survivors of domestic violence and other violent crimes, a calling that defined her legal career. In 2001, Verlinda joined the City of Cleveland Prosecutor’s Office, dedicating much of her work to the domestic violence docket. But her impact extended far beyond her caseload. She became an unofficial mentor to countless attorneys and staff, instilling in them the values of integrity, compassion and community-first service. She taught us to see victims as whole people and to lead with both firmness and fairness. When the office established Deputy Prosecutor positions, Verlinda was named the first Deputy of Domestic Violence, a role that recognized her leadership and expertise. She also spearheaded the VAWA grant initiative, securing vital funding to enhance services for victims and strengthen community support. Verlinda championed inclusivity, ensuring our office participated in PRIDE in CLE and advocating for resources that served all of the citizens of Cleveland, including the LGBTQIA+ community. She pushed for better outreach materials and resource guides to make our services more accessible and impactful. She also ensured those materials were translated into other needed languages for victims to be aware of resources available to them. Her promotion to First Assistant Prosecutor was a formal acknowledgement of the work she had long been doing, blazing trails and creating spaces for others to thrive. Beyond her professional achievements, Verlinda was a vibrant soul who loved the law, her country, her family and friends and the community she serves. Verlinda was a proud member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated. She had a keen eye for fashion, a deep knowledge of pop culture, and a passion for traveling the world. To know Verlinda was to witness unwavering dedication, fierce advocacy and boundless generosity. Verlinda is survived by her sister Michelle Powell and her grandmother Lee Birda Leonard. She was preceded in death by her beloved parents Kenneth Powell and Mae Ruth Powell and sister Cynthia Kline. Her legacy lives on in the lessons she taught us and the lives she touched. She will be dearly missed. Visitation will be from 10 AM until time of funeral service at 11 AM on Saturday, November 1, 2025 at Shorts Spicer Crislip Funeral Home Ravenna Chapel. Burial will follow in Maple Grove Cemetery in Ravenna.