Nora Lea "Johnnie" Poage, 99, of Mexico, passed away on Thursday, February 1, 2024, at Pin Oaks Living Center.

Graveside services will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Tuesday, February 6 at East Lawn Memorial Park.  Rev. Eric Mattson will be officiating the Service.

Johnnie was born on December 4, 1924, in Mexico, the daughter of Charles Ray and Edna Dorothea (Pagel) Playter. On July 31, 1944, in Langley Field, Virginia, she married Robert Augustus Poage, Sr. He passed away on October 17, 2020.

Mrs. Poage was a tomboy growing up in the Rush Hill area, which is how she got the nickname "Johnnie".  She was a 1942 graduate of Mexico High School.  Johnnie was a homemaker and babysat for many years especially for her nieces and nephews.

Johnnie was a member of the Mexico United Methodist Church, Women of the Moose – Mexico Moose Lodge and the Red Hat Club.  Johnnie enjoyed cooking for Bob's clubs, which included the Moose Club and many other groups.  She enjoyed making quilts, many of which were hand stitched.

Survivors include three children, Robert (Glenda) Poage, Jr., Donna (Norbert) Schaefer, and Glen Poage, all of Mexico; one son-in-law, David Peters of Paola, Kansas; seven grandchildren, Scott Ray (Angie) Poage of Wellsville, Kerri (Donnie) Wilkerson of Mexico, Kassie (John) Kelley of Paola, Kansas, Darek (Tracy) Dunlap of St. Louis, Shawn (Megumi) Gibbs of Iowa, Lana (Kenny) Lubbert of Lee's Summit and Kelly Ann Showman of Blue Springs; 19 great-grandchildren; 3 great-great-grandchildren with another due in May; cousin Essilee (Bud) Snook of Mexico and several nieces and nephews.

In addition to her husband, Robert, Johnnie was preceded in death by one daughter, Linda Peters; two sisters, Virginia Ferrier and Ruth Cooper.

Memorial donations may be made to Women of the Moose, Pin Oaks Living Center or Mexico United Methodist Church.  Memorials may be made in care of Arnold Funeral Home, 425 S. Jefferson St., Mexico, MO 65265.