Trailblazing Dentist Zeb F. Poindexter, Jr. Passes Away

April 30, 2012 - PRLog -- Dr. Zeb Ferdinand Poindexter, Jr. entered into eternal rest on April 28, 2012 at the age of 83.  Dr. Poindexter attended Terrell High School in 1945, Wiley College in 1949 and graduated from Texas Southern University in 1952 with a degree in Endocrinology. Following this, he served as a Second Lieutenant in the Air Force Reserves and left active duty with the rank of Captain. He was the first African American graduate of the University of Texas Health Science Center Dental Branch in 1956.  

Dr. Poindexter went on to become the first general dentist to operate a clinic of its type in Houston, Texas. Located in the municipality known at that time as the Chocolate Bayou, his facility was designed by John S. Chase Sr. and still stands today as a landmark for the Sunnyside neighborhood.  This achievement was followed by a series of firsts that include his becoming the first Black member admitted to the Houston District Dental Society, the first Black faculty member at the University of Texas Dental Branch and the first African-American appointed by UT to recruit all minorities.  

Dr. Poindexter was very active in his community and in the dental field. Dr. Poindexter founded the Zeb F. Poindexter, Jr. Chapter of the Student National Dental Association and held a faculty appointment as Associate Professor of Community Relations at the UTHHSC Dental Branch.  His numerous service honors are with organizations such as the American Fund for Dental Education where he was a Century member, Admissions Committee for the UTHHSC Dental Branch, Board member of the UNCF, President of the Gulf State Dental Association, Treasurer of the Charles A. George Dental Society, Life member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc.  Board member of the Urban League, Chairman of the Multicultural Facility Committee of the Texas Medical Center at Houston, Trustee in 1973 and Convention Chairman of the National Dental Association, and was nominated for the AGD Outstanding Dentist of the Year, State of Texas in 1991, received the UT Outstanding Alumnus Award in 1990 and awarded the Faculty Emeritus status at UTDBH in 2012.

Dr. Poindexter became a Fellow in the International College of Dentists in 1992, was a member in the Omicron Kappa Upsilon Honor Society, had a life membership in the National Dental Association, was listed in Who’s Who in the Southwest as well as Who’s Who in the Black Community for the State of Texas, and was a delegate in the House of the Texas Dental Association.  He was a member in numerous organizations such as the YMCA (Century Club), St. John Baptist Church, Loyal Missionary Baptist Church (Founder & Trustee), and the Eldorado Social Club.

Dr. Poindexter was a man who loved life and loved to live it to the fullest. Dr. Poindexter loved his family, served his community, and was an avid golfer.
Dr. Poindexter is survived by his devoted wife of 58 years, Ruby Revis Poindexter; Daughters, Merlene Russell and Eleanor Patricia Davis; and son Dr. Zeb F. Poindexter III and his wife Anna.  Dr. Poindexter is also survived by his sisters, Revodia Johnson and Vandetta King; and his brother Jimmy Poindexter, as well as several nieces, nephews, grandchildren, and great grandchildren.

The visitation services will be held at Loyal Missionary Baptist Church located at 3901 N. MacGregor Way, Houston, Texas 77004 and will be presided over by Reverend Chedrick Crosley, on Thursday, May 3rd from 5:30 p.m.-8:00 p.m.  The funeral services will be held at Good Hope Missionary Baptist Church located on 3015 N. MacGregor Way, Houston, Texas 77004 and will be presided by Pastor  D.. Z. Cofield, on Friday, May 4th at 11:00 a.m.   Funeral arrangements by McCoy & Harrison Funeral Home Incorporated
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