Edith Ernestine “Tootsie” Lyles Poe
On Saturday, August 6, 2022, at the age of 93, our Moma, Edith Ernestine “Tootsie” Lyles Poe, finished her race here on earth. She was a lifelong resident of Cleveland, Tennessee.
She was dedicated in her faith and settled her future when she was young by accepting Jesus as her personal Savior. She loved being a wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, great-great-grandmother, and great-great-great-grandmother. Moma spent her life loving and caring for her family.
She was preceded in death by her husband, James H. Poe, Jr.; parents, James Earnest Lyles, and Ethel Lou Mantooth Lyles; son, Randy Ensley; son-in-law, Mitchell Oswalt; grandson, Matthew Scroggs; two sisters, Evelyn Willett and Nadine Conner; and two brothers, Sam “Bo” Lyles and James “Buddy” Lyles.
She is survived by eight children, daughter Joan Scroggs of Cleveland, son Chris Ensley of Cleveland, daughter Marlene Derrick and husband Ron of Cleveland, daughter Tammy McConnell and husband Paul of Ocoee, TN, daughter Bridgitt Oswalt of Benton, KY, daughter Jamie Anthony of Tullahoma, TN, daughter Lisa Gilbert and husband Donald of Rossville, GA, son Allan Poe and wife Paula of Cleveland, and daughter-in-love Helen Watts of Tullahoma, TN; 20 grandchildren; 42 great-grandchildren, several great-great grandchildren, and one great-great-great grandchild; and several nieces and nephews also survive.
To know our Moma was to love her. She taught her children the things this world could not teach us so we could carry on her legacy of faith, hope, and love. She taught us that Jesus is our Savior and the only way, the only truth, the only life, and that the only way we could get to God the Father was through Jesus, His Son. She taught us to put God first and to love Him with all our hearts, thoughts, minds, souls, words, and actions. She taught us to love one another and the people around us. Moma taught us to lay our treasures up in heaven and to be givers not takers. She taught us that God is with us no matter what and He will take care of us. Our Moma had courage and strength and has been the glue that has kept us together. She taught us to do what is right even if no one else would or even if it hurt. Moma taught us to say, “I’m sorry,” to ask for forgiveness, and to forgive others. She taught us to be there for each other and to bear one another’s burdens because we all go through hard times. Moma taught us how to pray and lift each other up, as well as others. We knew if anyone could reach Heaven, she could. She taught us to laugh, and that fun is in the people that God gave us, people to love and share with that we call family. She gave us the tools we needed to succeed and taught us to be humble, thankful, and grateful.
Moma's final request of her children was for us to be a blessing. Her final words were a prayer for her children and the word "HOME". When she closed her eyes to this world, the very next thing she knew is that she is HOME! Our hearts will greatly miss seeing her smile, hearing her voice and her laugh, smelling her fragrance, holding her hand, and kissing her cheek. But we have comfort in the hope and promise that we will see her again. Until that day, Moma! We love you!
A celebration of her life will be conducted at 2 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 11, in the chapel of Ralph Buckner Funeral Home and Crematory with Pastor Ron Derrick and Pastor Bruce Hopson officiating. Interment will follow in Dill Cemetery, Old Fort, Tn., with grandsons serving as casket bearers. A white dove release ceremony and the playing of bagpipes will conclude the service.
The family will receive friends from 12-2 p.m. at the funeral home prior to the service.
We invite you to send a message of condolence and view the Poe family guestbook at www.ralphbuckner.com.