Edith Virla Poe Baker

Edith Virla Poe Baker, 95 a resident of Bella Vista since 1986 died February 15, 2015 at Ashley Health Care in Rogers, Arkansas. She was born in Sardis, Oklahoma, November 17, 1919. She was preceded in death by her parents, Silas and Vina Bohanon Bell and her first husband, O. Dixon Poe and her second husband, Glen Baker, Stewart Baker her stepson, Brother George W. Bell, Sister Imogene Horton. She is survived by one son, George D. Poe and wife Virgie, one daughter Mary E. Catron and husband Melvin, both of Bella Vista, three step-daughters, Janet Nevalenian, Cynthia Waggoner, Marian Mayo, one grandson, John T. Poe of Cheney, Kansas and wife Julia, one granddaughter Edna Faye Brewer, one great granddaughter Virgina Rae Kotyza, one great-grandson Garret Brewer and several nieces and nephews. Edith received her B.A. degree from Southeastern State at Durant, Oklahoma did post graduate work at Oklahoma State in Stillwater, Oklahoma. She married Dixon Poe May 29, 1941 in Durant, Oklahoma who would become a Presbyterian pastor. Edith was a school teacher and she taught every grade from first through twelfth at schools in Oklahoma, Indiana, Iowa and Texas as her husband was called to new pastorates. She became an associate professor of reading at University of Central Oklahoma and was a professor emeritus after her retirement. Then, in 1985, the Poe's moved to Bella Vista. She became an active member of the Community Church and started a tutoring program at the Church. She was Chairman of the Board of Outreach and on the Scholarship Committee. She was member of Bella Vista Art Club, 9 hole golf and a bowler. She was a member of the Oklahoma Retired Teachers Association, International Reading Association and became an author five books, two of which are published: "And She Married a Presbyterian Minister," and "Through My Classroom Door." She was a member of the Choctaw tribe and very proud of her Choctaw heritage. Visitation will be at the Bella Vista Funeral Home on Thursday, February 19, 3-5 p.m. Memorial service will be at 1 p.m. on Friday, February 20 at Bella Vista Community Church, 75 East Lancashire Blvd. A reception will precede the service at 12 noon. Burial will be following the memorial service. Arrangements are by the Bella Vista Funeral Home, 2258 Forest Hills Blvd., Bella Vista, Arkansas 72714. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Bella Vista Community Church Scholarship Fund. On line condolences may be made at www.funeralmation.com.