RICHMOND — James “Jim/Jimmy” Eugene Poe, Lane, died Tuesday, April 20, 2021, at Richmond Healthcare, Richmond. He was 84.
Jim was born Jan. 20, 1937, at Ransom Memorial Hospital, Ottawa, the son of Thomas and Cecil (Tabor) Poe. He was a lifelong Franklin County resident, graduating from Rantoul High School with the class of 1955.
He ran a hay crew when he was young. He always worked for himself. He drove a truck and operated his farm for most of his life. He was a member of the National Farmers Organization and Farm Bureau.
Jim loved to fish and was well known in the family for his cooking, especially his catfish, and was known as the master carver at family holidays. He was a huge fan of auctions. His family jokes that Jim was dedicated to making sure auctioneers made a profit. If a Western was on T.V., especially one starring John Wayne, Jim was interested.
He was united in marriage to Merrita Turley May 19, 1958, in Rantoul. They shared 62 years of devotion to each other. Merrita and Jim were always seen together. In later years, they would just get in the car and country cruise to wherever they ended up. They loved those days together, just out loving the views and Jim occasionally looking for junk.
Jim was preceded in death by his parents; four brothers, Thomas Poe, Richard Poe, Billy Poe and Jack Poe; five sisters, Mary Ann Roecker, Louise Waters-Lee, Betty Whitsitt, Juanita Schlief-Hoskins and Carol Lee Lykins; and a son-in-law, Robert L. “Bob” Wiley.
He is survived by his wife, Merrita Poe, of the home; four children, Nancy J. Lillie Barger (Mike), Linn Valley, James R. (Diana) Poe, Greeley, Dale E. (Janea) Poe, rural Osage County, and Anita R. Poe Wiley, rural Rantoul; a sister, Olive Bickerstaff, rural Franklin County; 14 grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild.
Funeral Services will be 11 a.m. Friday, April 30, at Ruhamah Baptist Church, Rantoul, with interment following at Ruhamah Cemetery. The family will greet friends for a visitation from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, April 29, at Lamb-Roberts-Price Funeral Home, Ottawa.
Memorial contributions may be made to Ruhamah Baptist Church or Hope House and sent in care of Lamb-Roberts-Price Funeral Home, P.O. Box 14, Ottawa, KS 66067.
Condolences may be sent to the family at www.Lamb-Roberts.com.
