Eva Joan "Jo" Poole

1935 - 2025

Eva Joan "Jo" Poole

March 1, 1935 - July 31, 2025

Joan Newlin Poole, 90, gracefully left her earthly life on Thursday, July 31st, at Friends Homes after months of declining health. Jo was the daughter of late Guilford College history professor Algie I. Newlin and his wife Eva Miles Newlin. Jo was a birthright Quaker preceded by nine generations of Quakers.

Jo Poole was an eloquent poet - not only in the written word, but also in the way she viewed life, in the way she spoke, and the way she personified her deepest values. Her sincere friendship and discerning judgment were treasured deeply by her many friends.

Jo grew up on the Guilford College campus. She showed an early gift and love for writing and for music; she was a singer and became a fine cellist. In her early teens she lived for two impactful years in Geneva, Switzerland, where her parents served as directors of the Quaker International Center. Returning to Greensboro, she graduated from Greensboro (now Grimsley) High School at the age of sixteen and went on to Duke University as an Angier B. Duke Scholar.

Over the years Jo put her considerable intelligence to work in magazine and newspaper editing and public relations. A position she especially loved was as Director of Special Events, engaging nationally known lecturers and planning exhibit openings, at Philadelphia's Academy of Natural Sciences.

Back in Greensboro, her passionate gift for leadership was expressed in many ways: she served on the boards of New Garden Friends School, the North Carolina Friends Historical Society, and the Friends of the Guilford College Library, as well as the North Carolina Yearly Meeting Publications Board. In the 1970s she was president of the Guilford College Women and later of the Guilford College Art Appreciation Club. Between 1993 and 1997 Jo was coordinator for the statewide 1997 Tercentenary celebrating 300 years of Quaker presence in North Carolina; as such she oversaw lecturers, reading programs, Quaker Tapestry and photography exhibits, and other commemorative projects.

All the while Jo was a frequent speaker in her community on poetry, prayer, and topics of spiritual interest. She was a beloved member of the New Garden poetry group.

Jo was a lifelong singer and member of numerous choral groups, including the Choral Society of Greensboro and the choir of New Garden Friends Meeting. She studied voice seriously in later life and gave numerous recitals, including a dinner/recital for her closest friends to celebrate her eightieth birthday.

Jo and her late husband, Herb, loved their Summerfield home in the woods, which they shared with beloved dogs, horses, and chickens, and where they welcomed numerous guests. One of her greatest loves was travel. Over time Jo visited 73 countries, living for extended periods in England, Trinidad and Tobago, Germany, and Russia.

Jo Poole was predeceased by her parents; by her husband, Herbert Leslie Poole, former Director of the Guilford College Library; and by her brother, James Clarkson Newlin, former Director of Finance and Development at Guilford College.

Surviving Jo are her stepsons, Luke Poole of Winston-Salem, N.C.; Wes Poole and wife Lexie Poole of Connecticut; her two foreign exchange "daughters" Katja of Finland, and Natalia of Minnesota; devoted friend and caretaker of the Newlin family, Carlton; and close friends too numerous to count.

A memorial service for Joan Newlin Poole will be held at New Garden Friends Meeting, 801 New Garden Road, Greensboro, on September 20, 2025, at 2 p.m.