Richard M. Poe

Fire Chief Richard Marvin Poe, age 80, of 1213 Augusta Street, Bluefield, WV, passed away on May 15, 2009 at a Bluefield Hospital. Born on February 8, 1929 in Bluefield, he was a son of the late Raymond M. and Nada Harvey Poe. He had been a lifelong resident of Bluefield and was a member of Trinity Methodist Church. Richard was a 1946 graduate of Beaver High School and attended the West Virginia Business College. He was a veteran of the US Army, served in Japan during World War II. He then served a second term in Korea. He was retired from the Bluefield Fire Department with 43 years of dedicated service, where he honorably served as the longest reigning chief of the department from 1974 to 1995. Chief Poe was proud to serve as an officer with the International Association of Firefighters. He was active with the Riley Vest Post 9 of the American Legion in Bluefield where he was a life member and on the board of directors. He was also active in the VFW and the Civitan’s where he was former president. In addition, Richard was a member of the Bluefield Elks and Moose Lodge and was a volunteer with the Salvation Army and served on numerous boards and committees concerning public safety. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a son, William Mark Poe, Sr., an infant grandson, William Mark Poe, Jr., and a sister, Jean Christerson. Survivors include his loving wife, Glenna Martin Poe of the home; two sons, R. M. “Mike” Poe, and wife Patty of Bluefield, and Charles N. Poe and wife Linda of Athens; three daughters, Kathy S. Poe of Bluefield, Sherri Poe of Bluefield, and Kerri Poe of Bluefield; three grandchildren, Tracy Poe Scott and husband Dwain of Louisa, VA, Michael Poe of Columbia, MD, and Nick Poe and wife Elizabeth of Princeton; a great granddaughter, Brynne Nicole Poe; a sister, Betty June Daughtery of Abbs Valley, VA, and a niece Veronica Daughtery of Abbs Valley. Funeral services will be conducted on Monday, May 18, 2009 at 11:00 AM at the Cravens-Shires Funeral Home Chapel in Bluewell with Rev. D. Homer Stewart and Rev. Susan Rector officiating. Burial will follow at Roselawn Memorial Gardens where honors will be performed by the Fireman’s Honor Guard and the WV Army Honor Guard. Friends may call on Sunday from 6-9PM at the funeral home.