Delores "Dee" Poe

Delores Poe, 81, of Kennett passed away on August 28, 2025 after a year-long battle with
cancer.

Dee was born December 9, 1943 to James and Loretta Baker in Caruth. She was the oldest of
three girls. The family lived on a farm in Caruth, and Dee grew up picking and hauling cotton in
the summers. She attended Caruth High School until it closed then graduated from Senath-
Hornersville High School in 1961. After graduation, Dee spent two years at Southeast Missouri
State University before transferring to University of Memphis and graduating with a degree in
Library Science with a minor in English.

Dee married Lynn Poe on August 6, 1965. She taught high school English in Steele for one year
before welcoming her oldest daughter, Christie. Three years later, a second daughter, Debbie,
joined the family. Dee and Lynn moved to Kennett and owned and operated Poe and Graves Gin
until their retirement in 2003.

Dee and her family enjoyed camping when their girls were young. After retirement, Lynn and
Dee and their dogs, Bandit and Cassie, traveled the country in their RV, visiting many national
parks. They enjoyed bringing the RV to St. Louis and having their grandkids camp with them.
Dee was an avid bridge player, reader and gardener. She loved spending time with her family
and was a loving and devoted caretaker to her husband and parents at the end of their lives.

Dee was preceded in death by her husband of 53 years, Lynn, and her parents, Jimmy and
Loretta Baker. She is survived by two sisters, Jane Wills of Tallahassee, FL and Rita Tackeberry
of Caruth; two daughters and sons-in-law, Christie and Andy Bell of St. Louis, MO and Debbie
and Kirk Petersen of Trophy Club, TX; four grandchildren, Haley Petersen Stelmachowicz (Alex),
Nina Petersen, Amelia Bell and Blake Bell and soon-to-be great grandson, August
Stelmachowicz. Dee was a member of Shady Grove Baptist Church for many years.

Visitation will be held from 1:00 pm to 2:30 pm on Sunday, August 31, 2025 at McDaniel
Funeral Home in Kennett. The funeral service will begin at 2:30 pm followed by the burial at
Memorial Gardens. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Jude’s Children's Research
Hospital.