Cynthia Whitfield McMahan

Cynthia Whitfield Poe McMahan, age 69, of Chapel Hill, North Carolina left this world on June 11, 2024, surrounded by loving family and headed for The Rainbow Bridge. She was born on October 19, 1954, in Arkansas, but considered herself a native of Louisiana, having spent her early years there. She is preceded in death by her parents, Samuel Reyburn Poe Jr., and Joyce Goodwin Poe, and two brothers Michael Reyburn Poe and Thomas Randall Poe.

She is descended from the Poe Family of Chatham and Orange counties who through Simon Poe settled in this area from Essex County Virginia in the 1750’s. When he remarried in old age, Simon boasted of 186 descendants. His son, Captain Stephen Poe was among prominent notables at the founding of Chatham County, his home serving as the first meeting house in the county.

Cynthia was a consummate businesswoman, having been a principal in several businesses in her life. She was also philanthropic, having served on various nonprofit boards and supported many worthy causes. She was elegant, creative, educated, accomplished and a success at whatever she put her mind to.

Her greatest passion in life was her German Shepherds. Under the kennel name “Globalhaus,” she bred and showed German bloodline German Shepherds throughout the world. After 25 years, she stepped aside from the rigors of her hobby with nothing left to win. She had done it all, competing as a small hobby breeder against some of the top kennels in the world and winning. She showed in many countries around the globe, winning numerous National Championship titles and coveted First Place Kennel Group awards for the quality and genetics of her breeding program. Her greatest love in life was her Siegerin, VA1 Nicoll von der Ochsensfurt.

She is survived by her North Carolina children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren: Esteban, Dana, David, and Carter McMahan along with Joelle, her husband Joseph, and children Eli and Miles Payne; her California sisters, Susie McMahan Perry and Nancy McMahan Dobransky; and the beloved little boy she helped to raise, Joshua McMahan of Georgia, along with his wife Brooke and daughter Audrey. She is also survived by cousins Jeannie Sher, Trisha Goodwin, Brian Poe, Laurie Harris, William Poe, Deanna Yates Jones, Gabriel Jones, Samuel Jones, Olivia Hines, and David Hines. Amongst her loyal friends, she leaves behind Sarajo Berman, Janett Greenberg, Valerie Mendenhall, Melinda Ewell, Peggy Faunce, Danny Holmes, Jean Kirby, Sharon McConnell, Richard Gunning, Rausa McManus, Stephen Groth, and Father Wilberforce Mundia. Special thanks and deep appreciation to her caregivers, Ashley Floyd, Tracey Deese, Bettie Oxendine, and Catie Lopez Vizuet for their love and care.

She will be interred at St. Bartholomew’s Episcopal Church in Pittsboro, North Carolina alongside her parents and brothers. A graveside service is scheduled for Friday, June 28 at 10:30.  Family and friends are invited to gather at the graveside at 10:00 for a viewing of the special “time capsule” curated with care by Cynthia. A celebration of her life will follow.

Final arrangements are being handled by Donaldson’s Funeral Home in Pittsboro.  In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the St. Batholomew’s Episcopal Church (saint- barts.org/) or to Best Friends Animal Society of Kanab, Utah (bestfriends.org/sanctuary).