J.W. Poe

CHAFFEE, Mo. -- J.W. "Gabby" Poe, 84, of Chaffee went to heaven surrounded by his loving family Sunday, April 10, 2011, at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville, Tenn.

He was born Aug. 3, 1926, in Canalou, Mo., son of James Edwin and Stella Reeves Poe. He married Sammie Garner on Nov. 6, 1946.

J.W. retired as a conductor with Frisco Railroad in Chaffee. He was a member and deacon of First Baptist Church in Chaffee. He was a very active member of Chaffee VFW Post 3127 and a member of the Brotherhood of UTU.

He was a U.S. Navy veteran of World War II.

Survivors include his wife of 64 years; three daughters, Sherry (Don) Meyers of Brentwood, Tenn., Joy (Ron) Moyers of Chaffee, Melaine (Bill) Bouge of Hendersonville, Tenn.; seven grandsons, Kyle (Crystal) Moyers of Bloomfield, Mo., Tyson Moyers (fiancee Jenny O'Rourke) of Chaffee, Brad Meyers, Ryan (Allison) Meyers, Nathan (Brittany) Meyers, Adam (Katie) Bouge, Brandon (Megan) Bouge, all of Nashville; seven great-grandchildren; and expecting two more great-grandchildren soon.

He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother.

Visitation will be after 4 p.m. Thursday at First Baptist Church in Chaffee. A VFW service will be held at 8.

The funeral will be at 11 a.m. Friday at the church, with the Rev. Matthew Butrum officiating, assisted by the Rev. Jack Bishop. Burial will be in Forest Hills Memorial Gardens near Morley, Mo., with full graveside rites conducted by Missouri Military Honors.

Amick-Burnett Funeral Chapel in Chaffee is in charge of arrangements.

In lieu of flowers, the family would like donations made to First Baptist Church in Chaffee.