Carol Ann Poole

Carol Ann Poole (Johnson) entered eternal rest on August 16, 2025, at her home in Howell, MI with compassionate care from Trinity Health Home Hospice and her loving devoted daughter Lisa.

She was born on December 23,1932, to Blanche and Harry Johnson in Detroit, MI. Carol was a beloved wife, mother, sister and aunt, great-aunt and great-great aunt to many nieces and nephews, a cousin and dear friend to many. Carol was the beloved wife of her childhood sweetheart, Gerald B. Poole (Jerry) whom she married on January 21, 1956, he predeceased her in 1997. She is survived by her cherished daughters Lisa Marie Poole and Penelope Ann Graham (Poole), her cherished brother Gerald H. Johnson (Jerry), sister-in-law Janice Johnson, and brother David J. Johnson.

Carol had a passion for teaching which led her to a career in education. After graduating from Fordson High School in Dearborn, MI in 1951, she attended Michigan State University and obtained her BA in Early Education in 1955. Carol did her student teaching at Central Elementary School in Okemos, MI, and started her first teaching job at Redford Township Elementary School. She ended her teaching career at Robert Elementary School in Melvindale, MI in 1967. Carol and Jerry moved their family from Dearborn to Dearborn Heights, MI that same year when Jerry opened his private law practice office in Dearborn Heights. Carol then became active in the Lawyers' Wives of Michigan and also involved in fundraising and event planning for several political campaigns in Dearborn Heights.

Carol had an incredible talent for home furnishing and holiday decorating. What started out as a fun thing to do for family and friends, turned into something much larger than a hobby. This prompted her to start her own successful small business in the early 1980's named "Carol Connection". She continued with her business until the passing of her husband in 1997. From 2000 to 2007, she was a receptionist at the Oak Pointe Country Club in Brighton, MI. Upon learning of Carol's decorating talents, she was asked to take over the holiday decorating for the Country Club and did this every Christmas until the clubhouse burned down in 2007.

Carol was known for her infectious laughter and ability to bring joy to those around her. She loved playing Pinochle, Poker and Gin Rummy. Their lake house on AuSable Pointe in East Tawas, MI, was the scene of legendary Pinochle battles during lively family and friend gatherings on holidays and summer weekends.

On College football Saturdays, she was always cheering on her beloved Michigan State Spartans with a VO Old Fashion that included her special Woodford Reserve Bourbon-soaked cherries. She was a Spartan through and through. Michigan State University recently honored Carol with a special pin recognizing her remarkable 70-year graduation milestone.

We cherished the many wonderful years we shared with her, but our hearts ache with her absence. She will forever be remembered for her fun-loving spirit, boundless kindness, love, and generosity.

According to Carol's wishes, cremation has taken place, private family services will be held with burial at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery in Southfield, MI. A celebration of Carol's life will be on a future date to be decided by her family.

In Carol's honor, her wish was for donations to the ASPCA (American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) https://www.aspca.org/ways-to-give or to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital https://www.stjude.org/donate/donate-to-st-jude.html. In accordance with the family notification form provided on the donation websites, acknowledgment of donations may be conveyed to the family at lisampoole@att.net.