POE, Alma Deane

The White Mountain Independent, Show Low, Arizona ~ April 3, 2008 Alma Deane Poe, 84, of Show Low went to be with the Lord Saturday, March 29, 2008. She was born May 6, 1923, at Wapello, Iowa, the daughter of Harvey and Jennie (Martin) Derby. Mrs. Poe graduated from Centralia High School in Centralia, Mo. She spent four years in nursing school in Missouri, Iowa and Illinois earning a nursing degree, graduating from the Galeburg School of Nursing in Illinois in 1944. She married Leonard Poe Feb. 18, 1945 and raised four children while continuing her nursing career. She cherished working at the Iowa State Institute for Handicapped Children. They came to the White Mountains area in 1968 and eventually made Lakeside their home. She had worked at the Kings Canyon, Whiteriver, Goldwater and Navapache hospitals. She also had worked for Dr. P.R. Garver. Alma loved all flowers and had fantastic vegetable gardens. Love went into canning her wares for her family and she was a wonderful baker. The most exceptional love she gave to her family was she was a born again Christian with overwhelming love for the Lord. She never tired of reading the Bible and praying for her family. Even when she was close to death, she diligently prayed for the world to become born again Christians. Survivors include a daughter, Sharon (Gaylan) Thomas of Show Low; three sons, L. Blaine (Naomi) Poe of Show Low, D. Craig (Mary) Poe of Bellingham, Wash., and Patrick Timothy (Kathy) Poe of St. Johns; sister Betty Lundvall of Iowa; 19 grandchildren and 25 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, son Steven Deane Poe, grandson Timothy Allen; three sisters, Jennie, Virginia and Anna; and two brothers, Warren and Donald. Graveside services were held Tuesday, April 1, at the Lakeside Cemetery with Pastor Clay Stidham officiating. Arrangements are under the direction of Black's Mortuary. Sign the online guest book or send personal condolences to www.blacksmortuary.com.