Deloris Stakely Poplin

Deloris Stakely Poplin (Dee), age 87, of Madisonville, went home to be with the Lord at 4:30 p.m. on Saturday, September 20, 2025. Born in the Bethlehem community of Madisonville, Dee attended the University of Tennessee and began her teaching career at Ball Play Elementary school. She then worked with the Head Start program and later owned and operated Kiddie College daycare. She then went to work as a rural mail carrier with the U.S. Postal Service where she retired. However, her most cherished role was serving as a devoted pastor's wife. She was preceded in death by her husband, Rev. Bruce E. Poplin; parents, A.M. (Mug) Stakely and Solonie Harris Stakely; beloved sisters, Gertie Moses, Jewel Caughran, and Priscilla Shutt; and brothers, Bob, Samuel, Charles, and Dwight Stakely. She is survived by her children: son and daughter-in-law, Andy and Debbie Poplin of Madisonville; daughter, Mary "Cissy" Joslin of Madisonville; daughter and son-in-law Beth and Chip Wooldridge of Knoxville; grandchildren, and spouses include: Lauren and Chris Morrison, Ashlyn Poplin, Tiffanie and Neil Brinson, Bryce and Amber Joslin, Chase and Shawnee Joslin, Zachary and Mary Lynn Wooldridge, Kylie and Sean McKay, Sydney Wooldridge, Ainsley Wooldridge, and Caden Wooldridge; great-grandchildren include: Callaway Woodie, Elladee Woodie, Caston Joslin, Josselyn Brinson, Grady Joslin, Ezekiel Wooldridge, Ayla Bethany McKay, Gabriel Wooldridge, Brooks Joslin, Olivia Morrison, and Alexia Morrison. She is also survived by sisters, Margaret Turpin, Dolly Raper, Charlotte Bruner, and Vicky Phillips; brother, CB Stakely; sisters-in-law, Joyce Stakely and Nell Jo Stakely; brother-in-law, Randel Bruner; and several nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be held on Sunday, September 28, at Biereley-Hale Funeral Home in Madisonville, TN. The family will receive friends from 1:00–3:00 p.m., with the funeral service beginning at 3:00 p.m., followed by interment in Haven Hill Memorial Gardens. Rev. Doug Alexander will officiate.