Kenneth Poe Funeral Services

October 1, 2018

CHARLOTTE - Beverly Coe “Bev” Blythe passed away on October 1, 2018 at her residence at The Cypress. She would have been 95 years old on October 28, 2018. Bev was born in Atlanta, Georgia to William and Ruth Parker. Her family moved to Charlotte when she was a very young girl, and Charlotte was her home for the rest of her life.

Bev was a 1943 graduate of Central High School. She attended Queens College for a year and then transferred and graduated from Mary Washington College in Fredericksburg, Virginia. This all came about because of her courtship with Kenneth Coe, who at the time was attending the U.S. Naval Academy.

Bev and Kenneth married soon after Kenneth graduated from the Naval Academy, and after a few years they moved to Charlotte for Kenneth to run J.L. Coe Construction Company.  Friendships arising out of Kenneth’s and Bev’s Navy years remained strong and included Frank Adams, who was the executive officer of the U.S.S. Nautilus when it crossed under the North Pole in 1957, and Elmo (Bud) Zumwalt, who would later become the U.S. Navy Chief of Naval Operations.

Kenneth was tragically killed in 1956 at the age of 32 in a private airplane accident, leaving behind Bev and two small children, ages 2 and 6. She was a devoted, warm, and loving mother. It took a great deal of determination and commitment by her to raise the children on her own, and they were always her first priority.

In 1980, Bev married Jack Blythe (F.J. Blythe, Jr.). She and Jack enjoyed many wonderful times together, often with treasured friends, until Jack’s death in 2003.  Bev felt very blessed to be married to Jack for 23 years and missed him greatly after his death.

Bev was a life-long member of Myers Park Presbyterian Church. She loved her family and friends and was happiest when spending time with them. She was also a member of the Charlotte Country Club, Quail Hollow Country Club and the Charlotte Debutante Club.

Bev was predeceased by Kenneth and Jack, and by her brother, William (Pete) Parker. She is survived by her son, Kenneth S. Coe, Jr. (Rush) and daughter, Jeannie Coe Fuller (Robert) and her five grandchildren:  Sarah Dorsett Coe Walsh, Kenneth S. Coe, III, John Loyall Coe II, Walker Fuller and Julia Parker Fuller.  Bev is also survived by the children of Jack Blythe, whom she greatly adored and who honored the memory of their father by the love and affection they showed for her: Kathy Southerland (Bill), Betsy Vaden (Ted), Frank Blythe (Connie) and Jack Blythe (Molly) and all of Kathy’s, Betsy’s, Frank’s and Jack’s children and grandchildren.

Bev’s family is most appreciative of her caregivers, who have been wonderful and compassionate.

A memorial service for Bev will be held on Saturday, October 6 at Myers Park Presbyterian Church at 11:00 o’clock, with a reception to follow.

Memorials may be sent to:  Memory Center Charlotte, 300 Billingsley Road #108, Charlotte, NC 28207 or to Myers Park Presbyterian Church (Outreach Program), 2501 Oxford Place, Charlotte, NC 28207 or the charity of one’s choice.

 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.