James Edward Poe

1931 - 2013

James Edward Poe

Funeral Services for James Edward Poe, 34th Imperial Potentate Ancient Egyptian Arabic Order Nobles Mystic Shrine of North and South America and its Jurisdiction, Inc. will be Saturday, June 8th at 11 a.m., at Mother Liberty CME Church, 456 South Highland Ave., Jackson, TN 38301.

Burial will follow in Highland Memorial Gardens. Visitation for Noble Poe will begin Friday morning at 9 a.m., at Mercer Brothers Funeral Home. The Last Masonic Rites will begin at 6 p.m. Friday evening. On Saturday, the remains of Noble Poe will lie-in-state at Mother Liberty CME Church from 10 a.m. until time of service.

James Edward Poe of Jackson, TN, was elected the 34th Imperial Potentate of the Ancient Egyptian Arabic Order Nobles Mystic Shrine (A.E.A.O.N.M.S.), (Prince Hall Affiliated) and installed August 21, 1998 in New Orleans, LA.

He attended Merry High School, and after graduation, he enrolled in Lane College where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in mathematics. Poe earned a Master of Science Degree in Administration and Supervision from the University of Tennessee. He also did further study at Tennessee State University, University of Notre Dame, and law courses at LaSalle University. He served two years with the United States Army in Korea (1952-1954) and 13 years in the reserves, receiving an honorable discharge.

James Poe returned to Jackson, TN to teach mathematics at his former High School, Jackson Central Merry. He also served as part time professor of mathematics at Lane College. He is a notary, tax consultant and spent 33 years teaching before retiring.

Poe was a 33rd degree Mason and his Masonic affiliations consist of: Past Master, Jackson Lodge #72; Past High Priest, Lane Chapter #16, Royal Arch Masons; Past Eminent Commander, Lane Commandery #24, Knights Templar; Past Commander-in-Chief, T.P. Haroldson Consistory ^ Past Potentate, Zarah Temple #151; Past Grand Trustee, Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Tennessee; Past Most Excellent High Priest, Julliet Allison Grand Chapter, Holy Royal Arch Masons; Past Treasurer, Deep South Shriners; Charter Member of Theta Iota Chapter, Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., Lane College. He was also a member and past Secretary of William R. Bell Elks Lodge #454.

Poe accepted Christ at an early age and has been a lifelong member of Mother Liberty CME Church, where he served on the Stewards Board and was active in the Sunday School.

In 1961, James Poe married the former Jean Freeman, and they are the parents of Mrs. Jacqueline Ferguson and Mr. Julian Poe of Atlanta, GA, Mrs. Joselyn Miller of Bloomington, IL and Mr. Kenneth Poe of St. Louis, MO; and four grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

Mercer Brothers Funeral Home, (731) 423-4922.