Hickory Creek resident dies hours before 100th birthday

Thursday, June 6, 2019
Jose Pogue

A Thursday celebration had been planned as a resident of Hickory Creek at Sunset was set to turn 100.

Unfortunately, Helen Josephine “Jose” Pogue passed away Wednesday evening at age 99, about three hours shy of officially reaching the milestone.

Despite the sad occasion, the staff at Hickory Creek looked at the positive in celebrating a long life.

Jose Pogue

“As we said last night,” Hickory Creek administrator Jill Stott said, “the Lord decided he wanted her to celebrate at the pearly gates.”

Despite residing at the Greencastle facility, Jose (pronounced “Josie”) lived most of her life in Monroe and Owen counties.

She was born June 6, 1919 in Monroe County, the oldest of five children born to Herman Ray and Fraulein Livingston Freeman.

Jose attended Ellettsville High School and was described as an “outstanding student.”

Jose and her husband Albert Pogue raised two daughters, Carol and Carmen, in Spencer.

Her husband preceded her in death.

Jose and Albert were active in the Spencer Baptist Church, with Jose singing in the choir, serving as head of the primary department and assisting with DVBS, youth camp, ladies’ missionary society and children’s programs.

Jose was also a charter member of the Spencer YMCA and walked there at least five days a week for many years.

While known for her good character, Jose was also honored for her decication to her Lord and to her family, her generous spirit and her love for music.

The family also noted her appreciation for lovely things such as jewelry, her once sizeable doll collection and her ability to maintain a home interior with a designer touch.

Besides her daughters, Jose is also survived by two sons-in-law, five grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild.

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