Frances Barksdale Poor

Frances Barksdale Poor, age 96 of Vestavia Hills and resident of Galleria Woods Retirement Community in Hoover for the past 12 years, died June 16 at Brookwood Baptist Medical Center. She was preceded in death by her husband of 64 years William Russell Poor, her parents Houston Barksdale and Dora Jordan Barksdale; brothers Dr. John L. Barksdale and Dr. Charles B. Barksdale. Survivors include; daughter Teresa Ann Poor Hall (Greg) of Opelika; son, William Russell Poor, Jr. (Neisa Giambrone) of Alabaster; grandchildren Alexandria Poor Hanrahan (Kyle) of Tampa, Evan Thomas Hall (Faith Ruehle) of Huntsville, and Marcus Russell Poor of New York City; great-grandchildren: Grayson Michael Poor, Jordan Russell Hanrahan and Zoey Marie Hanrahan; brother Dr. Larry H. Barksdale of Raleigh, NC, sister-in-law Nell Barksdale of Opelika, and numerous nieces and nephews.

She was a Dothan native who graduated from Dothan High School and attended Howard College (Samford University), received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Science Education from Alabama Polytechnic Institute (Auburn University), and Master’s Degree from University of Alabama Birmingham. While in college she was a member of Alpha Delta Pi social sorority and inducted into Kappa Delta Pi education honor society, Mortar Board, and Cardinal Key. She was chosen Doll Queen, fraternity Dream Girl, Campus Favorite, and yearbook beauty.

Frances taught in the Houston County, Knoxville, Mountain Brook and Vestavia Hills School Systems. She enjoyed keeping in touch with her former students. She never met a stranger and enjoyed gardening, entertaining, and community work.

After retiring, she volunteered for many Birmingham organizations including: Salvation Army Auxiliary, Decorator’s Show Houses, Easter Seals Society, Charity League, and Ronald McDonald House; in Vestavia Hills: Historical Society, Beautification Board, Friend of the Library, I Love America Day, and Clean Community and Recycling Committee. While a member of the Vestavia Hills Garden Club, she worked for many years as project chairman at the Temple of Sibyl beautifying the park, raising funds, and helping establish the Sibyl Temple Foundation. Some of the awards for her volunteering efforts were Vestavia Hills Citizen of the Year, Alabama Alpha Delta Pi Alumnus of the Year, and Leadership Vestavia Hills Lifetime Achievement Award.

She was a member of Vestavia Hills Methodist Church and served in many capacities there and at other churches she attended.

Relatives and friends are invited to a Memorial Service in the chapel at Vestavia Hills Methodist Church on Friday, June 28 at 10:30 a.m. with visitation prior to service beginning at 9:30 a.m. Following the service, a private interment of Frances’ remains will be in the church columbarium.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Vestavia Hills Methodist Church, 2061 Kentucky Avenue, Vestavia Hills, AL 35216 or The Sibyl Temple Foundation, P.O. Box 660645, Vestavia Hills, AL 35266.