Born near McCalla on December 22, 1926, he grew up in Tuscaloosa County and graduated from Tuscaloosa High School in 1944. Following his graduation from Howard College in 1948, he married his college sweetheart, Beth Kelley Poe. He then attended Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, where he received a Master of Theology, and University of Alabama, where he received a Ph.D. in European history.
Dr. Poe was blessed with an active ministry spanning over sixty-six years. While a student, he was called to pastor his first congregation, Pleasant Hill, in Moundville. He and his wife then served as missionaries in West Africa for nearly fifteen years, where he taught in Nigeria, Ghana, and Liberia. There, he was instrumental in planting several churches and the Ghana Baptist Theological Seminary, all of which are thriving today. After returning stateside, he taught as a history professor at William Jewell College in Liberty, Missouri, and Northwestern State University in Natchitoches, Louisiana. During this time, he continued to pastor at several churches in Alabama, Kentucky, and Louisiana and led revivals throughout the United States, England, and West Africa. Even in his retirement, he remained active, writing books and leading Sunday school classes and Bible studies.
Dr. Poe is preceded in death by his wife of sixty-six years, Beth Poe; father Herbert Poe; mother Willie Ethel Harmon Poe; and siblings, Amos Poe, George Poe, Calvin Poe, Ruby Davis, Tyne Landers, and Marie Zeller.
Poe is survived by his daughter Jo Ellen Poe, a retired teacher; his son Dr. Allen Poe, M.D., and his wife Dianne; and his grandchildren Jonah, Abigail, and Anna Poe.
The family would like to extend a special thank you to his loving care givers Augusta Moore, Stephanie Keith, and Jackie Walters.
A Virtual Service Honoring the Life of Dr. William Allen Poe will be Monday, at 10:00 am at www.vhbc.com
A private family funeral services will be held Monday, April 27th, at 1 PM at Tuscaloosa Memorial Park Chapel, with Rev. Gary Furr officiating. In lieu of flowers, please donate to Vestavia Hills Baptist Church in memory of Dr. Poe.
