Thelma Ruth Wood Poe, 82 of Bear Creek died Thursday, September 2, 2010 at UNC Hospital.

She was born May 6, 1928 in Randolph County, the daughter of the late Walter and Vergie Coe Wood.

She is predeceased by her husband, Russell D. Poe; her sisters, Pansy Brooks, Bertha Yow, Delcie Underwood and Dorothy Hughes; her brothers, Lonnie Wood and Connie Wood.

She is survived by her son, Darrell Poe and wife Shawn of Bear Creek; stepson, Glenn Poe and wife Roberta of Frisco, TX; stepdaughter, Sandi Ruttman and husband Bob of Baton Rouge, LA.; grandchildren, Jennifer Holder and husband Chris of Bear Creek, Christin Poe of Huntersville, NC, Brittany Poe of Bear Creek, Lynette Wilks and husband Mark of Baton Rouge, LA, Jimmy Padgett of Glendale, AZ; great-grandchildren, Shelby and Preston Holder of Bear Creek, Jessica and Maddy Wilks of Baton Rouge, LA, Brenan and Taylor Padgett of Baton Rouge, LA.

She was a loving mother, grandmother and great-grandmother and most of all a loving friend known to all as "MeMaw". Mrs. Poe worked most of her life in textiles and was store manager of CATO in Siler City in the 1960's before retiring due to her health. She loved gardening cooking and canning and passed down her many secrets of the kitchen to her grandchildren.

The family will receive friends from 6 to 8pm on Friday at Smith & Buckner Funeral Home in Siler City and other times at the home of Darrell and Shawn Poe in Bear Creek.

A celebration of her life will be held on Saturday, September 4, 2010 at 2:00pm at Sandy Branch Baptist Church in Bear Creek. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.

Arrangements are by Smith & Buckner Funeral Home of Siler City.