Hazel McCain Poe

Funeral services for Hazel McCain Poe, 103, will be at 10:00 a.m., Friday, January 27 at First Baptist Church, Indianola in the sanctuary. She died on Saturday, January 21, 2017 following a stroke on December 17, 2016. Burial will be in Indianola City Cemetery under the direction of Boone-Card Funeral Home. 

Hazel was born on August 14, 1913, in Mathiston, Mississippi to Cleora O’Neal and Pascal Floyd McCain. She and her husband, Powell E. Poe, moved to Indianola in 1945 where she remained until her “retirement” to The Villages, Florida in 2014. Both of her parents and her husband of 59 years preceded her in death. 

She was a second grade teacher for over 30 years and was very active in many groups and clubs including Cotton Wives, WMU, Civic League and the Garden Club. She was a 50+ year member of the sanctuary choir of the First Baptist Church, Indianola and she also served for many years as the Sunday School secretary. After Powell retired from farming in the 70s, he and Hazel traveled extensively. Sometimes they pulled their Airstream trailer, sometimes they explored with great friends Gladys & Billy Gist and Esther & Frank Baker, and sometimes they went abroad. She had an incredible sense of adventure and never wanted to miss out on anything. She never lost her interest in what was happening on the farm or with the weather. She also had a love for sports, particularly Mississippi State, Alabama and the Atlanta Braves. 

She is survived by her son and daughter-in-law, Joe Powell and Mary Jane; grandchildren, Kathryn (John), Morgan (Erin), and Nathan (Ian); as well as great-granddaughter, Evalyn Grace. She is also survived by her “baby brother,” Joe (Juanice) as well as a host of generations of cousins, nieces and nephews from across the country. In addition, Juanita and James Campbell of Inverness have been a special part of her family’s life for a long time. 

The family is thankful and appreciative of everyone at Harbor Chase in The Villages for becoming a part of her family during her “retirement” and for Peggy Armstrong who was her friend and caregiver for her last few years in Indianola. 

Visitation will be held on Friday, January 27 at 9:00am at First Baptist Indianola Lunch will be served at the First Baptist Church Fellowship Hall following the graveside service. 

Pallbearers will be: Morgan Poe, Nathan Hicks-Poe, Bill Baird, Lake Baird, Keith Spealman, Calvin Lang, Ernie Baker (or Billy as she called him) and Lewis Poindexter. Frank Crosthwait and Dr. Walter Rose will serve as honorary pallbearers.

Memorials may be made to First Baptist Church (Choir Fund), 202 Catchings Avenue, Indianola, MS 38751; Baptist Children’s Village, Post Office Box 26, Clinton, MS 39060-0026; or the charity of the donor’s choosing.