Former missionary and Kentucky Disciples minister Nina J. Poage, 72, died Sept. 22 at her home in Richmond, Ky. Poage was the senior minister of Mount Zion Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Richmond. She dedicated had her life to improving the lives of others, especially the poor.
Born to Everett E. and Ruby Lawson Aug. 13, 1936, in Hannibal, Mo., Nina and her husband, Bennett D. Poage, moved to Lexington, Ky., in 1964 so he could attend Lexington Theological Seminary. They soon traveled to Jamaica with the Disciples of Christ Overseas Ministries, where she helped people grow and can food. She was industrious and innovative. When the people lacked jars in which to preserve the food, Poage got a bottling machine from Church World Service, prepared the food in puree form and worked with the women there to put it in beer bottles.
After the couple returned from overseas, Nina Poage helped organized and became executive director of MATCH, an organization that assisted 5,000 Appalachian artisans market their crafts. She headed MATCH from 1974-1983. Her work with the grass roots organization won her a scholarship to the University of Massachusetts, where in 1985 she earned a master’s degree in rural development and regional planning.
Poage was named city manager of Richmond, Ky., in 1986, a position she served in for four years. As city manager, she helped establish the community’s recycling program and was instrumental in the Lake Reba development project. She continued her community services in the early ’90s overseeing development projects in Barbourville and McCreary County, Ky.
Her next venture was as volunteer coordinator with the Kentucky Ecumenical Empowerment Project, through which she assisted needy families to acquire food, clothing and other essential services. In 2000, Poage, a licensed minister, began preaching at historic Mount Zion Christian Church in Richmond while attending Lexington Theological Seminary part time. Although she was unable to complete seminary because she became ill, she was ordained as a minister and later became Mount Zion’s senior pastor.
Poage is survived by her husband, a Disciples minister, two daughters and a grandson. A memorial service was held for her Oct. 4 at Mount Zion.