**Celebration of Life Services will be 2 p.m. Sunday, September 19th at Wesley’s Chapel United Methodist Church**
Madeline Carolyn Akins Poe was born May 9,1941, in DeKalb County, AL, not far from her home of 60 years. She joined Christ in Heaven in the early morning hours of August 17, 2021. Madeline was the eldest daughter of Robert and Annie Akins, followed by her sisters Linda, Edith, Mary Louise and Juanita and brothers, Edwin, David and Alfred. Loss was a constant companion to Madeline as she lost all her brothers and sisters except Linda and Edwin and both her parents. Tragedy seemed to come hand-in-hand with blessings and she had plenty of both.
In November 1959, she married the love of her life, Wilburn Lyons Poe – after their first date in Washington DC. They started on a family quickly with the birth of Wilburn Anthony, followed by Alethea, Angela and Alison. Through the years, Madeline and Wilburn were blessed with 8 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren, who were her greatest blessings.
Madeline’s other great passion was cooking – not only from necessity but sheer love of feeding people. A sign in her kitchen said “Never trust a skinny cook.” She excelled at hospitality and compassion, making everyone who came to her home feel welcomed and appreciated. She delivered more meals to sick and bereaved than most people cook in their lifetimes. Her longest career was as the Municipal Clerk at the Town of Sylvania, after many days and nights working in sock factories around Fort Payne and as a nurse aid at the hospital. She viewed each job with tenacity and truly did all things as if working for the Lord. (Col 3:23) Her true talents were in child-rearing and making memories. She did both exceedingly well.
Madeline loved the Lord Jesus with all her heart, soul, mind and strength. Her family and friends never questioned her faith in Jesus or her love of them. Truly, she met Jesus on Tuesday night and He said, “Well done, thy good and faithful servant.”
A Celebration of Life service is planned for 2 p.m. Sunday, September 19th at Wesley’s Chapel United Methodist Church.
Wilson Funeral Home and Crematory of Fort Payne is in charge of arrangements.
