Levi M Poe (1931 - 2015)

Born 21 May 1931 in Lamar County, Alabama, United States

Died 10 Jan 2015 at age 83 in California, United States

Biography

Obituary

Levi Mathis Poe entered this world on May 21, 1931, in Lamar County, Alabama. Levi was the second of four children born to Rev. Renzie M. Poe, Sr. and Isadora Washington Poe. He confessed Christ at an early age, and was baptized in 1941 at the New Hope Baptist Church in Kennedy, Alabama. As a child, he and his siblings helped their family by working the land, raising, cotton, corn, sugar cane, peanuts, and peas. He grew to young adulthood in the community around Kennedy, Alabama, graduating from Lamar County Training School in 1950.

Upon graduation, he entered Alabama A&M College in Normal, Alabama, where he earned his Bachelor of Science degree in August 1953, majoring in secondary education. He pledged Gamma Phi chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity in 1951, and completed his degree in three years by attending classes during the summer sessions. He returned to Lamar County for a short time, during which he drove the school bus for the community. He then joined the U.S. Air Force, served on active duty from March 1954 through November 1957. During his tour with the Air Force, he was stationed in Texas, California, and Alaska. He later earned Masters of science degrees from San Francisco State University and California State University at Hayward, in 1962 and 1971, respectively.

While in his last year at A & M, he met a freshman co-ed named Lenora Madison. They became friends, and stayed in touch during his Air Force tour. On June 21, 1957, he and Lenora were wed at Reynolds Chapel AME Church in Newbern, Alabama. Two children were born from this union: Michael Dewayne and Michaelle DeNita.

After their wedding, Levi and Lenora moved into their first home in Vallejo, California. Upon his discharge from the Air Force, they relocated back to Uniontown, Alabama where they each pursued teaching careers. Levis's gifts as an educator were quickly recognized, and he took on various roles in the community around Marion, Alabama. In July 1959, Levi and Lenora decided to join the great migration west and moved back to California, settling in Berkeley. Their first home in Berkeley was an apartment on San Pablo Avenue, above a used furniture store. Levi secured work as a processor at Prime Meat Company in Oakland. Throughout the 1960s and 1970s, Levi and Lenora helped numerous family members get situated in California upon theri migration from Alabama.

In 1960, Levi was hired by the Berkeley Unified School District to teach science at Burbank Junior High School. Again, his teaching gifts and willingness to work hard were quickly recognized, and he was promoted into a variety of administrative roles. He was the first Black Dean of Boys at Willard Junior High School and Berkeley High School, he was Vice Principal at Columbus Elementary School and King Junior High School, and he was the first Black Principal at Willard Junior High School and Berkeley Adult School. He impacted the lives of numerous students, teachers, parents, and colleagues in Berkeley's educational community. He also served on the Board of Directors for the Berkeley YMCA and Herrick Memorial Hospital. Levi retired from the Berkeley School District in August 1996 after 36 years of dedicated service.

IN 1974, Levi and his family joined the Church by the Side of the Road, under the pastorate of Rev. Charles Belcher. He very much enjoyed serving the Lord at CBSOR, serving o various committees, in the Men's League, Men's Usher Board, Men's Choir, Pastoral Search Committee, Trustee Board, and most recently, as the Church Moderator.

Levi enjoyed spending time with his family, on numerous road trips back to Alabama and to various points of interest throughout the United States. He enjoyed boating and fishing, and was a "rock of support" for family members going through difficult times. He and Lenora enjoyed entertaining in their home, and spent many fun evenings with friends and family. He also cherished the friends and colleagues he met and worked with through his rental properties in Berkeley and Oakland.

Levi was an avid collector of all things big and small, including antique cars, boats, and motorhomes. His pride and joy was a 1931 Pontiac, which was built the same year he was born. He also enjoyed attending local auctions, bidding on (and winning) various items of furniture, electronics, suitcases, glassware, silverware, and other household items.

Levi Mathis Poe touched many lives during his faithful 83 years walking this earth. He departed this life on Saturday, January 10, 2015, at his home with his loving family by his side. He is survived by his devoted wife of 57 years, Dr. Lenora Madison Poe, son Michael D. Poe (Angela), daughter Michaelle D. Poe-Burke (Terry), granddaughters Moriah Faith Burke, Lynn Michaelle Poe, Ariel Hope Burke and Chole Olivia Burke, grandson Levi Thomas Poe, brother Renzie M. Poe, Jr., sisters Marie E. Poe-Wright and Dorsey L. Calhoun, numerous brothers and sister-in-law, cousins, nieces, nephews, extended family members, and a multitude of loving friends and associates. ^[1]

Sources

1. ↑ http://www.fouchesfuneralhome.com/obituaries/Levi-Poe/#!/Obituary