Helen McDuffie Poindexter

Helen McDuffie Poindexter of Harrisonburg died on Sept. 14. Born July 4, 1926, she was the daughter of the late Charles R. and Agnes F. McDuffie. She grew up in LaVale, MD and graduated from West Virginia University. She earned a Master’s Degree from Madison College (now James Madison University) and a Ph.D. at the University of Virginia. She had a long career as an English Professor, mostly at James Madison University, including a semester as Faculty Member in Residence for Semester in London. She also taught at the University of the Philippines and Federal City College in Washington D.C.

She was a member of the JMU Faculty Senate, AAUW and Trinity Presbyterian Church where she was active in the house church involved with nuclear disarmament.

Her husband, James E. Poindexter preceded her in death in 1992. She is survived by three daughters: Kathy Barry and her husband, Jack, of Bolton, MA, Kristen Swink of Mt. Crawford, and Karis Swink Barry and her husband, Phil, of Mt. Crawford. She has two grandchildren, Colin Barry of Staunton and Laurel Ulrich (and her husband Chris) of Manassas. In addition she has two great grandchildren, Jordan and Ryan Ulrich.

Interment will be private and a memorial service will be held on Oct. 4 at Trinity Presbyterian Church in Harrisonburg at 11:00a.m.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Agnes F. McDuffie Piano Scholarship Fund at James Madison University.

Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.lindseyharrisonburg.com