Bette Joyce Poe

Rev. Bette J. Poe, age 83, of Kingston, formerly of Scranton, Wilkes-Barre, and Endicott, passed away at Wilkes-Barre General Hospital on December 17, 2021. 
 
Bette was born September 1, 1938 in Indianapolis, and graduated from Arsenal Technical High School.  She attended Purdue University and SUNY-Geneseo before receiving her B.A. from SUNY-Binghamton in 1984 and her M.Div. from Colgate Rochester Crozer Divinity School in 1987.  She served as Senior Pastor at Campville UMC and St. Paul's UMC in the Binghamton area and at Firwood UMC in Wilkes-Barre, as well as Associate Pastor at Centenary UMC and Chenango St. UMC in Binghamton and St. Paul's UMC in Scranton.  She served as the District Superintendent for the Scranton District from 2002 until her retirement in 2010.  As a pastor, she was well-loved for her laid-back personal style, her dry wit, and her easy approachability. 
 
Prior to her ordination, Bette had been active in the United Methodist Church as a church lay leader, UMYF leader, and adult Sunday School teacher, and had held various leadership roles at the church, district, and conference levels of the United Methodist Women.  Prior to her pastoral career, Bette had worked as a secretary for various organizations and boasted a typing speed of 100 wpm on a manual. 
 
She is survived by her children Andy (Diane) Poe of Marquette, Michigan, Maggie Poe (Neil Amos) of London, England, and Sarah Poe of Tulsa, Oklahoma; by her grandchildren Nat and Simone Amos of London and Adam and Sophie Hollingsworth of Tulsa; and by her sister Norma Jean Wright of Gainesville, Florida; as well as by many nieces, nephews, grandnieces, grandnephews, and cousins.

Bette’s first memorial service will be held at Firwood United Methodist Church in Wilkes-Barre on Saturday, January 8, 2022 at 2pm, preceded by calling hours at 1pm. There will be a second memorial service held at Sky Lake Camp in the summer, date to be determined.  She has requested that congregants wear yellow rather than black to both services. 

In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate donations to Sky Lake Campership Funds, 501 William Law Rd, Windsor NY 13865 or online at skylakecenter.org, directing the donation to: “In memory of Bette Poe (Sky Lake Campership Fund)”.  

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