Kenneth Poe Funeral Services

August 9, 2018

CHARLOTTE - William Edward Poe, Jr. (Eddie), 68, died Thursday, August 9, 2018 surrounded by his family at Carolinas Medical Center following complications from leukemia.

Eddie was born on October 5, 1949 in Boston, Massachusetts to William E. Poe and Mary Virginia Warren Poe and grew up in Charlotte, North Carolina. Eddie graduated from Myers Park High School, where he served as president of the student government association during his senior year and played varsity basketball and baseball. He received his Bachelor of Arts (1971) and Juris Doctor (1974) from Wake Forest University. In 1994, he completed Harvard University’s Advanced Management Program. Following his graduation from law school, Eddie worked in the legal department at Duke Power, now Duke Energy Corporation, for 25 years, where he served as Deputy General Counsel. In 1999, he joined Parker Poe, Adams and Bernstein as a litigator practicing regulatory and energy law. Throughout his career, he served in numerous leadership positions in the legal community, including Parker Poe’s Board of Directors, the North Carolina Bar Association Board of Governors and Corporate Counsel Section (Chair), the Edison Electric Institute Legal Committee, the  TerraLex Energy Environmental Practice Group, and the American Bar Association Public Utilities Section. He also gave generously of his time through pro bono legal work for the Mecklenburg County Bar.

Eddie was a devoted member of Trinity Presbyterian Church since 1975. He served tirelessly in many capacities, including as an Elder for 15 years, Clerk of the Session, Chair of the Executive Committee, as well as a member of the Worship, Personnel, Stewardship, Christian Education and Finance Committees. He also taught Sunday School for a number of years. 

Additionally, Eddie was a paragon of servant leadership and civic responsibility exemplified through his involvement with multiple community organizations. He served on the Land Acquisition and Executive Committees of the Board of Directors for the Catawba Lands Conservancy. Through his involvement with Catawba Lands, he crafted legislation that provides legal protection for conserved lands at risk of condemnation in North Carolina. For his efforts, he was named the 2009 North Carolina Land Trust Volunteer Conservationist of the Year. In addition, he served on boards at Queens University of Charlotte, the YMCA of Greater Charlotte, Sharon Towers, the Arts & Science Council, and the United Way of Central Carolinas. At Myers Park Country Club, he was on the Executive Committee and Board of Directors from 2014-2018 and served as Club President for 2017.

Eddie took great pleasure in supporting young people in their professional development, giving freely of his energy, time, and wisdom. In leadership roles, his clarity of vision helped many an organization find their way forward. He also supported family and friends in times of need with his unfailing loyalty, gentleness, and courage. True to form, he maintained a positive attitude throughout his illness and numerous hospitalizations refusing to be defined by his disease.  

He lived a full life, enriched by his wide range of interests. Eddie was deeply curious, innately diplomatic, and met all domains of his life – intellectual, athletic, spiritual, civic, family, and social – with full engagement. From his book club to the “Early Morning Workout Crew” at MPCC, from his nuclear family to his faith family at Trinity and the greater Charlotte community, Eddie’s wisdom, graciousness, steadying presence, and sense of humor lifted the esprit de corps of those around him and made him the de jure or de facto leader of the groups of which he was a part. He will be dearly missed, but there is immense gratitude for the example he set.

Eddie is survived by his wife of 43 years, Joyce McLain Poe; his daughter, Amy Alderman Poe and Nick Nguyen; his son, William Edward Poe, III and wife, Lillian Brown; one grandchild, William Elliott; his four brothers and their spouses, Stephen D. and Jane Poe, Kenneth W. and Joy Poe, Richard S. and Kathy Poe, Michael D. and Pam Poe, and sister, Anne, and husband, Ed Matthews.

The family wishes to express special thanks to the Early Morning Workout Crew, friends and neighbors, and members of the Parker Poe Family, who have provided unfailing encouragement and support. 

A worship service will be held at Trinity Presbyterian Church at 11:00 AM on Tuesday, August 14th, 2018. The family will receive friends following the service. 

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to: Catawba Lands Conservancy, 4530 Park Road, Suite 420 Charlotte, NC 28209, Trinity Presbyterian Church, 3115 Providence Rd, Charlotte, NC 28211, or the YWCA Central Carolinas, 3420 Park Road Charlotte, NC 28209.

Arrangements are in the care of Kenneth Poe Funeral & Cremation Service, 1321 Berkeley Ave., Charlotte, NC 28204; (704) 641-7606. Online condolences can be shared at www.kennethpoeservices.com.