Maxine House Wood Poe of Sheridan, Arkansas died peacefully on June 16, 2013 at Sheridan Nursing and Rehabilitation Center at the age of 91. Maxine was born July 21, 1921 in Holly Springs, Arkansas, the daughter of the late Volney MacMillian House and Bertha Beatrice Rogers House. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by husbands, David Dale Wood and Harvey H. Poe; a daughter, Ann Buchanan; and a sister, Sarah Davidson.

Maxine's unwavering faith in God sustained her throughout her life and she loved her family and her church greatly. Maxine played an active role in First United Methodist Church. During her lifetime, she taught Sunday school, sang in the choir and loved being a member of the United Methodist Women.

Maxine's family was her life. She loved family gatherings and enjoyed preparing meals for everyone who came to her home. Nothing pleased her more than to have her loved ones "home."

Maxine graduated from Sheridan High School in 1939 and attended business school in Little Rock, Arkansas. In 1940, she married her high school sweetheart, David Dale Wood. While Dale was overseas during World War II, Maxine was recruited to teach school in Sheridan because of a shortage of teachers. After the war, Maxine encouraged and supported Dale's education as he completed a Bachelor's and Master's degree.

Dale and Maxine had four children prior to Dale's early death at age 43. Maxine raised her four children while working fulltime in the ASCS/USDA office in Sheridan. During the 1970's, she was one of the first women in Arkansas to be promoted to the position of County Executive Director of an ASCS/USDA office and was responsible for both Saline and Grant counties.

After raising her children, Mother met and married Harvey Poe in 1979 and had a wonderful life with him. Together they traveled and enjoyed their five grandchildren. During the last few years of her life, she was taken care of by her adult children and was able to stay longer in her home because her daughter Rita Jolly moved in with her to help her.

During her life, Maxine enjoyed her membership with the Order of the Eastern Star, stamp collecting, playing bridge, quilting, growing flowers, and teaching and playing the piano. She loved to learn and maintained an active curiosity throughout her life, always learning and studying a wide variety of things. Because of her dynamic personality, she never met a stranger.

In summary, she lived a full, rich life with a wonderful childhood and loving parents, her own loving family, many friends, and wonderful, interesting memories. She began her life with loving parents and a fun childhood. She created her own family that was filled with love, traditions, and joy. She departed this life with her loved ones modeling in their own lives the love she gave to them. She enjoyed every minute of the life God had given her.

Survivors include her son, David Dale Wood, Jr. And wife Kay of Grapevine; daughters, Nancy Ruth Wood and husband Bob Messer of Eureka Springs, and Rita Wood Jolly of Redfield; son-in-law, Ernie Buchanan of Redfield; sister, Phyllis Gregg of Elgin, Oklahoma; grandchildren, Adam Blair and wife Bekka, Valarie Stevens and husband Tommy, Jesse Thomason and Melissa, David Dale Wood III, Cody Blair and Melissa; great grandchildren, Sam, Kealie, Halle, Nathan, Dakota, James, Kayden, Derrek and also survived by one niece and six nephews.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 A.M. Wednesday, June 19, 2013 at First United Methodist Church in Sheridan. Burial will be in Lost Creek Cemetery. Visitation will also be Wednesday, from 10:00 A.M. until service time. Memorials may be made to First United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 357, Sheridan, AR 72150.

Pallbearers are Adam Blair, David Dale Wood III, Cody Blair, Jesse Thomason, Bob Messer and Ernie Buchanan.

The family would like to say a special thank you to Sheridan Healthcare and Rehab Center and Arkansas Hospice for the wonderful care they gave to their mother.