Bro. Lois "Lou" Poole

Bro. Lois "Lou" Poole Lois Poole, age 91, passed away on December 18, 2024, at Ellis Hospital, in Schenectady, NY, after a long illness. Born in Alexander City, AL, on June 19, 1933, to Lorenza and Mary Brooks Poole, he was the third oldest of seven children. Lois spent his youth in his beloved hometown of "Alex City." He graduated from Alexander City High School, the city's "colored" high school, in 1953, where he was a standout running back on the school's football team. His mother gave him the unique name of "Lois." Why she chose a name associated with females is unknown, although some have speculated that it may have been a misspelling of "Louis." Whatever the reason, he wore the name proudly, because that was what his mother had named him. Later in life, he was known to many as "Lou." Lois was drafted into the army on December 19, 1954, and stationed in South Korea during the Korean War, sometimes near the Korean Demilitarized Zone. After being honorably discharged, Lois enrolled in Alabama A&M University in 1956 on the GI Bill. There he met his wife and lifelong love, Westoria Brewer Poole. Soon after they married, Lois re-enlisted in the army and served another 3 years, mostly stationed in Germany, where he had top secret clearance. After another honorable discharge, Lois completed his studies, earning a bachelor's degree in history and government from Alabama A&M University. Like many African Americans from the south at that time, Lois and his wife decided to leave Alabama to purse greater employment opportunities up north during the Great Migration. In 1963, he and his young family moved to Buffalo, NY, where he eventually secured a position as a case worker with the Erie County welfare department. This began a long career in the field of social work. After working as a case worker, Lois became a probation officer in Erie County. He then took a position with the State of New York, helping to oversee the federal government's Food Stamp Program. In 1973, Lois was transferred to Albany, NY, eventually, settling with his family in Niskayuna, NY. Lois spent some 20 years with the New York State Department of Social Services, traveling the state overseeing various state programs, until retiring. During retirement, Lois was active as a small businessman. He worked for several years with his wife, helping to run a McDonald's restaurant franchise on Central Avenue, in Albany, NY. He and his wife also owned rental properties in Schenectady's Vale and Union Street neighborhoods. Lois was first and foremost a great family man. He also enjoyed going on road trips, be it with the family or for the job. Lois was known around the neighborhood, where ever he lived, for maintaining a picture-perfect lawn and spent many weekend hours working in the yard. Lois accepted Jesus Christ as his personal savior as an adult and was baptized at Friendship Baptist Church, in Schenectady, NY, then under the leadership of the late Rev. Dr. Carl B. Taylor. He remained a member of Friendship until his passing. As a member he was active in the men's choir, drove the church van, and attended church services regularly. Lois is survived by his wife Westoria Brewer Poole, daughters Donza Poole and Pamela Poole, son Gregory (Paula Naughton) Poole, grandson Aifric Naughton Poole, brother Lorenzo Poole, and a host of nieces, nephews, relatives, and friends. Lois was preceded in death by his parents, sisters Annie Mae Wilmer and Fannie Lee Cowie, and brothers J.D. Poole, John Frank Poole, and James Wade Poole. Lois loved his family dearly and considered himself to be amply blessed, even in the face of health challenges, including surviving surgery for a rare brain tumor in 1997. He could often be heard saying, "God has been good to me." Funeral services will be held on Friday at 11am at Friendship Baptist Church, 409 Union St., Schenectady with burial to follow at Memory Gardens Cemetery, Colonie. A calling hour will be held on Friday from 10 until 11am prior to the service at church.