Rev. Nina J. Poage, Pastor and Community Leader, Dies


Rev. Nina J. Poage, Senior Minister of the Mt. Zion Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), died in her home on Monday, September 22, 2008, of complications associated with leukemia.

Rev. Poage, a native of Monroe County, MO, lived in Richmond, and is survived by her husband, Rev. Bennett D. Poage, two daughters, Nannett Poage-Prater and Wynn Del Poage, and grandson Clayton Thomas Yancey.

A pastor since 2003, Rev. Poage also acted as volunteer coordinator for the Kentucky Ecumenical Employment Project (KEEP), a project sponsored by the Disciples' Kentucky Appalachian Ministry (KAM) that served Casey, Lincoln, and Garrard Counties.

From 1992 until 1994, she oversaw the downtown revitalization for the city of Barbourville, KY, that included business retention, industrial development, and city beautification projects.

For four years, 1986 to 1990, she served as city manager for Richmond, KY, where she initiated the city's recycling program and contributed to other high visibility projects like the Lake Reba Complex.

Devoted to local people and self-help development efforts, she organized MATCH, Inc., a regional Appalachian federation of 21 production and marketing cooperatives, located in seven states, with membership of over 5,000 crafters. As executive director from 1974 until 1983, she founded three craft retail stores, one of which was the former railroad station that remains the anchor for Berea's Old Town district.

Rev. Lon Oliver, director of KAM, said, "A lot of pastors and community workers see Nina s their mentor in regards to living in solidarity with the poor."

Funeral arrangements: Combs Funeral Home, Richmond, KY.
Memorial Service: Mt. Zion Christian Church, Rt. 421, 830 Battlefield Memorial Highway, Richmond, KY, Saturday, October 4. Visitation: 9-11:00 am, service at 11:00 am.


For any further information, contact Lon Oliver at 859-986-8789 (office) or 859-358-4704 (cell)