Thelma Hedrick Poe, 99, passed onto her eternal home on Tuesday, March 30, 2021.
She was born on February 13, 1922 on a small farm in Williamsburg, West Virginia, graduated high school at age 17, and set off for college in Charleston, West Virginia the following year. Shortly thereafter, she joined Union Central Life Insurance Company in Louisville, KY. She became an active member of St. Matthews United Methodist Church serving on almost every committee at some point and time. Thelma was also active in her community, serving on the board for the Graymoor/Devondale, and having an active role in various clubs and business oriented associations in the city of Lousiville as well as the state of Kentucky. Some of the accomplishments she was most proud of include: her role in the merger of the Graymoor and Devondale cities, being a councilwoman for the City of Graymoor/Devondale, President of the Louisville Life Underwriters, received KY Medal of Honor, Business and Professional Women’s Club of Kentucky, KY Woman of Achievement, Vice President of Derby City FLMI (co-founded FLMI designation), Union Central Million Dollar Roundtable, Union Central Hall of Fame inductee, Union Central President’s & Leaders Circle, and Board of Trustees for Methodist Hospital.
Through it all, her work with Union Central/Ameritas was her passion. Having started with them at age 19, Thelma dedicated herself to thousands of clients over eight decades completing almost 80 years of service with the same company. Thelma has left her mark in the life insurance industry, her church, her community, and in our hearts. She will not easily be forgotten, the great ones never are.
Thelma was preceded in death by her father and mother, Elmer and Jesse Hedrick; her brother, Newton Hedrick; and her husband, Onda Poe.
She is survived by her three children, Shirley Myers (Richard), Joe Poe and Rob Poe (Lisa); grandchildren, Melissa, Jeffrey, Ben, Hannah and Austin; great-grandchildren, Kelsey, Ashleigh, Jack, Grace and Halley; her brother, Elmer Hedrick, Jr., his seven sons, their spouses, children, and grandchildren.
Her funeral service will be at 3:00 pm Saturday, April 3, at Highlands Funeral Home, 3331 Taylorsville Road, with visitation beginning at 10:00 am, until time of service. Entombment in Resthaven Cemetery will be at a later date.
Expressions of sympathy may be made to St. Matthews United Methodist Church, 315 Browns Lane, Louisville, KY 40207.