William Howard Poe

WILLIAM HOWARD POE, 84, of Little Rock, went home to be with his Lord on June 11, 2015 after a short battle with cancer. He was born Oct. 7, 1930 in Leachville, Ark. to the late Jerry Newton Poe, Sr. and Blanche Bean Poe. Born deaf, he graduated from the Arkansas School for the Deaf where he learned the trade of upholstery. He worked for Continental Trailways Busline for 13 years reupholstering bus seats. In 1958, he opened Howard's Upholstery Shop where he worked full time until his recent illness. He was preceded in death by his parents, four brothers, and six sisters. He is survived by his loving wife of 60 years, Janette; son, Neal and partner, Jay Wilkerson; daughter, Julie Poe-Caldwell and husband, Joe, all of Little Rock; one sister, Alma Phillips of Cabot; and two brothers, Frank Poe, Sr. of Benton and James Lee Poe of Leachville. He is also survived by "special" daughters, Connie Marendt and Carrie Walker and "special" grandchildren, Zach and Lauren Marendt. Memorials may be made to the ASD-Museum or Antioch Baptist Church-Deaf Ministry. Memorial service will be held at a later date. Memorial service will be held at Antioch Baptist Church, 5300 Stagecoach Road, Little Rock, July 12, 2015, 2-4 p.m. Arrangements by Ruffin & Jarrett Funeral Home, 1200 Chester Street, Little Rock, (501) 372-1305.