March 27, 2005
The Rev. W. Gordon Poole, 97, died Sunday, March 27, 2005, at Glenaire Retirement Community, where he had made his home for the last twelve years.
A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday at White Memorial Presbyterian Church, 1704 Oberlin Road, Raleigh. The family will greet friends after the service in the church Gathering Place.
He was born in Wake County on Sept. 11, 1907 to the late Nathan Allen Poole and Faraby Elizabeth Poole. He graduated from Knightdale High School and held degrees from Wake Forest College, B.A.; Duke University, M. Div; Andover Newton Theological Seminary, M. Sacred Theology; Columbia University, M.S. in Hospital Administration and The American College of Hospital Administrators, F.A.C.H.A.
His hobbies included traveling throughout the world, enjoying opera and classical music, reading and studying languages, working and relaxing at his summer cottage on Rustic Ridge in Northfield, Mass. and gardening. He spent many hours cultivating and growing orchids that were proudly displayed at Glenaire. Mr. Poole maintained an active membership in Rotary International for 65 years.
He served as pastor of the First Baptist Church in Cavendish, Vt. and the First Baptist Church in Glens Falls, N.Y. After training in the medical field, he served as Administrator of Saint Agnes Hospital in Raleigh followed by service as Hospital Analyst for the N.C. Medical Care Commission. In his last position prior to retirement, he served as the first Head of the Nursing Home Division of the State Board of Health.
Mr. Poole was a longstanding member of Pullen Memorial Baptist Church and later White Memorial Presbyterian Church.
He is survived by sons, David Allen Poole of Charlotte and John Arnold Poole and wife, Marilyn of Raleigh; daughter Barbara Poole Walker and husband, Colin of Raleigh; and daughter-in-law Wanda Gates Poole of Greensboro.
Also surviving are a sister, Annie Lee Montague of Raleigh and grandchildren, Carolyn Poole Goodman, Jonathan Allan Poole, Emily Poole Pharr, Kelly Poole Wood, Caroline Willoughby Poole, Tracy Ann Lynch, Sarah Thornton Aldana, Joanna Faraby Walker and Jocelyn Mary Walker. Nine great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews also survive him.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his first wife, Carolyn Peacock Poole and his second wife, Margaret Royall Poole, a son, Dr. Gordon Joseph Poole, a brother, Bill Poole and sisters Lena Poole Watkins and Virginia Poole Holland.
The family would like to express our sincere appreciation to the staff at Glenaire Retirement Community for the wonderful loving care provided to Mr. Poole over the past 12 years.
Flowers are accepted or memorial contributions may be made to the North Carolina Symphony, 2 East South Street, Raleigh, NC, 27601.
Condolences to the family may be sent to www.poolefuneral.com under Obituaries.
Arrangements are by L. Harold Poole Funeral Service, 944 Old Knight Road, Knightdale, NC 27545.