Rev. Billy B. Poteat

Rev. Billy B. Poteat, age 79 died at the Durham Veteran’s Hospital in Durham, NC on Wednesday, April 11, 2012. Rev. Poteat was a native of McDowell county growing up in Marion, NC. He was married to Gail Williams Poteat on May 7, 1955 and to this marriage was born a wonderful daughter. He served a four year tour of duty with the United States Navy. In 1966 Rev. Poteat moved his family to Nashville, TN where he attended and graduated from the Free Will Baptist Bible College. His first pastorate was at the Pamplico Free Will Baptist Church in Pamplico, SC where he served for eleven and a half years. It was then that he moved his family to Scotland Neck and began his pastorate at the Hope Free Will Baptist Church in Scotland Neck. The church then was located on Chestnut Street. He was the driving force behind the building of the new Hope Free Will Baptist Church that is now currently on Hwy 258. Rev. Poteat would remain the pastor there for nearly twenty-five years until retiring. Currently he has been serving as interim pastor of the Crab Point Free Will Baptist Church in Morehead, NC.

Upon his arrival to Scotland Neck, Rev. Poteat became involved with the Scotland Neck Rescue Squad serving as Chaplin for many years. He was a member of the Kiwanis Club in Scotland Neck and was also tremendous to the success of The Crepe Myrtle Festival held to this day in Scotland Neck. Rev. Poteat was known throughout the community as ‘the people’s pastor.’ He extended his compassion to at all regardless of church affiliation or race. Rev. Poteat was very community minded offering his help in any way he could.

Preceding him in death are his mother and father, the late Cordie Gardens Poteat and John Hosea Poteat. Also preceding him in death are seven brothers and six sisters.

Survivors include his wife of fifty-six years, Gail W. Poteat of Scotland Neck, a daughter, Becky P. Acree and her husband Garry of Chesapeake, VA and a sister, Georgia Duncan of Marion, NC. Also surviving are two grandsons, Jonathan Acree and his wife Molley and Tyler Acree and his wife Michele.