Obituary: Alice Etheridge Poth
She was a remarkably kind and caring teacher who touched the lives of many students over her long teaching career.
Alice Etheridge Poth of Oxford, Ohio, passed away unexpectedly on Aug. 7, 2026.
The daughter of Agnes and T.J. Etheridge, Alice was born on Oct. 8, 1935 in Engelhard, North Carolina, and was raised in this small fishing community not far from the Outer Banks.
She graduated from Engelhard High School. Upon graduation from East Carolina University, with a bachelor’s degree in education and became a third grade teacher in Virginia Beach, Virginia, where she met the love of her life, James (Jim) Edward Poth, who was serving in the Navy at nearby Dam Neck Naval Base.
Alice and Jim were married in 1960 and moved to New Haven, Connecticut to further Jim’s education. It was here their first child, Michael, was born. After Jim’s graduation from Yale University, they moved to Oxford, where Jim taught at Miami University and they established their home for many years to come.
After the births of Elizabeth (Betsy) and Amy, Alice resumed her teaching career with the Talawanda School District. Alice pursued further education at Miami and became certified in teaching children with learning disabilities.
She was a remarkably kind and caring teacher who touched the lives of many students over her long teaching career. Alice was a member of Faith Lutheran Church and was an integral part of the choir for many years. She had a lovely alto voice and played the piano beautifully.
She had many special friendships throughout her 50 years in Oxford and had loads of fun in her long-running tennis and dinner groups. She enjoyed volunteering at McCullough Hyde Hospital and was a member of P.E.O., Chapter DC, which was very special to her and provided caring support in her final years. Alice was an incredible mother to her three children. She exemplified unconditional love. She was the loving wife to Jim for 51 years and tirelessly took the best care of him during his long illness. What she cherished most was being with her family, cooking and laughing, especially when gathered at home or her beloved beach house.
Alice is survived by her brother, Tommy (Barbara), and her children, Michael (Karen), Betsy (Samuel), and Amy, as well as her grandchildren, Justin (Cora), Julia, Rebekah, Lauren, Gabriel, Jacob and Samuel, who all adored their Grammy.
She was preceded in death by Jim and her parents. The family is extremely grateful for the wonderful care provided by the staff at Woodland Country Manor for the last seven months. A celebration of life will be held at Faith Lutheran Church in Oxford. The date and time are still pending.
See www.paulyoungfuneralhome.com for updates.To honor Alice, gifts may be given to the Alice and James Poth Memorial Fund by check sent to: Miami University Attn: Annual giving, 725 E. Chestnut Street, Oxford, Ohio 45056 or online at: https://www.givetomiamioh.org/JamesandAlicePothMemorialFund .
This obituary was originally published by Paul R. Young Funeral Home.
