Dr. Jerry Houston Pogue was born on October 9, 1937 to the late Rev. Bonnie L. Pogue, Sr. and Alma Houston Pogue. He was a life-long resident of Prichard, AL. Jerry lived his life as a devoted member of Antioch Baptist Church where he served as a Sunday School teacher, a member of the Men’s and Women’s Bible Class, an active participate in the Drama Club, a Youth Choir Dad, and a Youth Ministry Counselor. Developing and shaping the minds of Antioch’s Youth to pursue education was his calling. He accomplished this task by becoming the founder and a major contributor of the Temple Gilliard Scholarship.
Jerry Pogue was a great man who believed in serving God and educating his people. He received his educational training by obtaining a Bachelor of Science Degree from Alabama State University in Montgomery, AL and a Juris Doctorate (JD) Law Degree from John Marshall University in Atlanta, GA. Even though he held a dual discipline in both Education and Law, Jerry never stopped learning. He furthered his legal education at the College of William and Mary Law School in Williamsburg, VA, Washington University School of Law in St. Louis, MO, Harvard University School of Law in Cambridge, MA, and the University of Alabama in Birmingham. AL.
His education afforded him the opportunity to become a Civil Rights Leader. During the Civil Right Movement, there were many challenges, trials, and tribulations with demonstrations, marches and sit-ins to desegregate the south. In the forefront of the oppressive forces stood our husband, our father, our brother, our uncle, and our friend, Dr. Jerry Houston Pogue. He was truly committed to eradicating social injustices as the Field Staff Coordinator for Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) in Atlanta, GA.
Upon returning to the Mobile Area, he knew there were numerous obstacles to overcome. He began this work as a founding member of Neighborhood Organized Workers (NOW). Jerry’s pursuit to combat social injustice span over four decades. During this time Dr. Pogue led the Mobile MLK Memorial March from 1968 to 2016.
Marching for social justice was not his only calling. He became a professor at Bishop State Community College. Jerry also used his knowledge to become the author of the book Academic Dismissals and co-authored several other books. Believing that knowledge was power and the source of that power was God. He also received training in theology and divinity. Jerry was compelled to do even more for the
community and thereby founded the Alabama Constitutional Institute of Higher Education.
Jerry showed how smart he was by marrying his high school sweetheart in 1960. To this union was born six beautiful children, five sons and one daughter. Two of the five sons preceded him in death, Wendell La Don Pogue Sr. and Andre Pogue. In Jerry’s life-time he also lost his parents and his three brothers, Bonnie Pogue, Jr., Tommy Pogue, and Johnny Lee Pogue. Although Jerry experienced loss, he still stood on the premise that he would always impart to anyone he encountered to “Keep the Faith.”
Jerry Pogue loved and cherished his family. His determination to make a better life for them drove him to focus on his career and his work as a Civil Rights Activist. Although this pursuit of justice required him to travel continuously, his family was always on the forefront of his mind. Throughout his travels, Jerry encountered many people. He learned that all people have one thing in common, that “you know the way whether you choose to go that way or not.” As people of the human-race, we will all have to travel the path Jerry recently traveled. Jerry knew that his work here on earth was done but the wisdom he shared would continue in those he left behind. For his sons, grandsons, sons-in-law, nephews, and other young men he taught them that “No Matter What, Be a Man.” For his daughter, granddaughters, daughters-in-law, nieces and other young women he instilled in them the love of God, Family, and Community and above all, “Keep the Faith.” To everyone he left behind, he admonishes them to “Don’t Stop Marching” because “I Ain’t Gonna Let Nothing Turn Me Around.”
Dr. Jerry H. Pogue leaves to cherish his memories, his wife, Mary E. Bacot Pogue; three sons Orlando (Juliette) Pogue of Mobile, AL: Paul (Valisa) Pogue of Montgomery, AL; and devoted son and caregiver Daryl (Valerie) Pogue of Dallas, GA. One daughter Yolanda (Rev. Desmond) Smoot, Sr. of Mobile, AL; Daughter-in-law Rhemie (Victor) Lewis of Mobile, AL. He also leaves to cherish his memories 18 grandchildren which he loved dearly: Adrian, Kory, and Quentin Pogue of Montgomery, AL; Maranda and Devin Pogue of Dallas, GA; Jeraun Pogue of Tuscaloosa, AL; Ajua, Quenland, Orjul, Wendell, Jr., Ricardo, Ashleigh, and Tiffany Pogue, Destiny, Dekiah, Desmond Jr., and Deshaun Smoot, and Darien Lewis all of Mobile, AL. Two devoted sisters Clara (Wille) Knight and Naomi Harrison. One sister-in-law, Ivory Hill; one brother-in-law John (Vivian) Bacot; Two aunts Ida (Jake) Leverette and Lucille Houston all of Mobile, AL. Three devoted nephews Torick Alex Knight of Jacksonville, FL. Timayo Tim Knight of Birmingham, AL, and Daryl McCaskill of Mobile, AL. Two devoted nieces Dimeka Sharelle Jackson of Macon, GA and Helena Starling of Mobile, AL. One devoted friend David Underhill. Devoted cousins Mary B. Riggins, Rev. Leroy Houston, Jimmy Lee Houston, Yolanda Evett Young, and many other nieces, nephews, cousins, relatives, and friends.

A visitation will be held on Saturday, February 4, 2017 from 11am until the 1pm funeral hour at the Antioch Missionary Baptist Church, 350 Chandler Street, Prichard, AL. Interment will follow in the Oaklawn Cemetery, Mobile, AL.

DIGNIFIED AND PROFESSIONAL SERVICES ENTRUSTED TO SMALL’S MORTUARY, 950 S. BROAD ST., MOBILE, AL 36603

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