Alvern Potillo

Alvern Byford Potillo, 94, of Poplar Bluff, Missouri died Wednesday, July 10, 2024, from complications of dementia/Alzheimer’s disease at The Manor nursing home in Poplar Bluff, Missouri, where he had been residing since March 5, 2024.

Alvern was born April 29, 1930 in Poplar Bluff, Missouri, is a veteran and was drafted into the military in 1951 and served honorably in the Army for one term; afterward he started learning the brick mason trade from experts like Fred Birdsong and eventually went into business for himself and continued in his brick mason business for many years mainly in Poplar Bluff and surrounding areas. He laid brick on most of the houses in the Hampton Court subdivision in Poplar Bluff when the subdivision was first constructed by Charles (Boots) Hampton, contractor and long-time friend. Later in life he retired from brick mason work and went into the construction trade building houses for several years before completely retiring from the work force. However, though he retired from brick mason and construction work, he always kept busy piddling around building something, buying and selling whether it was vehicles, lawnmowers or saw mills which he built himself.

He was a multi-talented person, there wasn’t anything he could not build if he put his mind to it. He could build kitchen cabinets, make a saw mill, tear down a vehicle engine and put it back together, he truly was a “jack of all trades,” but did everything with perfection. He also loved gardening, fishing, camping, and hunting squirrels and deer.

Alvern was of the Baptist faith and at the age of 91, he received the Lord Jesus Christ in his heart Oct. 15, 2021, just before the midnight hour while he was in the hospital emergency room where he received a diagnosis of severe bronchitis.

Alvern is survived by one child, Tonjia L. Miller (Potillo), her husband Jim; one granddaughter and two great-grandchildren; as well as his brother, Vernon Potillo (wife, Mary); and sister, Katherine Turner-Thompson (Potillo). Alvern is proceeded in death by his wife, Ella Mae Potillo (Cordell); his parents, John Raymond and Birdie Ethel (Starkey) Potillo; as well as his sister, Lola Irene (Potillo) Hillis.

Alvern will be greatly missed by many friends and family. Visitation/Celebration of Life will begin at 11 a.m. Wednesday, July 17, 2024, at Fitch-Hillis Funeral Chapel at 366 College Street Poplar Bluff, Missouri. Funeral service will follow at noon. Interment will follow at Three Springs Cemetery with Rev. Don Richmann officiating. Fitch-Hillis Funeral Home is assisting with all funeral arrangements.

Condolences may be made online at www.fitchhillisfh.com or on the Fitch-Hillis Facebook page.