Denice Houston Poe

Denice Houston Poe, age 64, lost her two-year battle with ALS, passing away at her home in Madison on November 15, 2025.

Visitation will be held on Sunday, November 23, 2025, at Natchez Trace Funeral Home from 3:00p.m. until 5:00p.m., and again on Monday from 10:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. in the Student Center at First Baptist Church of Madison, with the funeral service to follow. Interment will take place at Lehrton Cemetery near Ruleville, Mississippi at 3:30pm.

Born December 12, 1960, in Jackson, Mississippi, Denice was one of three triplet sisters. She earned her B.S. in Education from Belhaven University and completed her master’s degree in Early Childhood Development at Northeast Louisiana University. She devoted 41 years to the Warren County School System in Vicksburg, MS, where she touched countless young lives through her work and compassion.

Denice was gifted in many ways, but her love of playing the piano was one of her greatest joys, including playing as a staff member for several churches for 41 years. On June 9, 1984, she married the love of her life, Wilbur L. Poe, Jr., and together they raised three children who were her pride and delight.

She is survived by her husband, Wilbur L. Poe, Jr.; daughter, Dr. Ruth Poe White (Andrew Stephen White); sons, Technical Sergeant James Houston Poe (Adrianna J. Pickens-Poe) and William Lafayette Poe; and her treasured grandchildren: Elias Fayte White, Ezra James White, Scarlett Liesel Poe, Bronwyn Ruth Poe, and Aedan Ryvers Pickens. She is also survived by her sisters, Annice Houston McGuffey (Mike) and Karen Houston Rogers (Clay).

She was preceded in death by her parents, Jimmy Randolph Houston and Evelyn Rebecca Moore Houston, and her sister, Gwenice Ruth Houston.

Denice’s life was marked by faith, family, service, and a gentle spirit that blessed all who knew her. She will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the ALS Association, Team Gleason or to the Music Program of First Baptist Church of Madison, causes close to Denice’s heart.

Pallbearers will be Andrew White, Greg Smithhart, Dr. Chris McGuffey, Dr. Daniel McGuffey, David McGuffey, and Dr. Jeff Holland. Honorary pallbearers will be members of First Baptist Church of Madison, Ahlrich Bible Fellowship Group.