Reginald M. Poole Sr.

Reginald Maurice Poole, Sr., 85, passed away at his home on Tuesday, August 25, 2009, surrounded by his family. He was born on July 31, 1924 in Johnston County to the late Duke Poole and Ozell Woodley Poole. He attended schools in Clayton and finished his education at Fort Jackson, SC after joining the Army at age 15. Reginald enlisted in the Army February 3, 1940. He spent many months at schools and field training all over the U.S. until 1944 when he was sent to England. He was a member of The 3rd Army, 90th Infantry Division-359th Regiment, “M” Company, with his unit he went ashore on Utah Beach during the invasion of Normandy on “D” Day-June 6, 1944. He also fought throughout Europe, including the Battle of The Bulge until the War ended in 1945. Reginald later served a tour of duty in The Korean War. He continued to serve in many places around the globe until he retired as Chief Warrant Officer-3 in 1964. Reginald returned to Clayton, built a house and raised his family on property that had been in his family for several generations. He went to work for the U.S. Post Office in 1965 and carried many mail routes in Raleigh, until he retired in 1986. During his retirement he worked for Hudson’s Ace Hardware in Clayton part time. He also had Poole’s Vineyard for many years which he opened in the fall for people to come and pick grapes. Mr. Poole was active in many local organizations, including The American Legion, Granite Masonic Lodge and The Clayton High School Athletic Booster Club. He was inducted into The Johnston County Educational Hall of Fame. In 1995 he met Elizabeth Goodwin, (Bette) of Margate, Florida. They married in December 2005. Both enjoyed traveling and together they visited all the states in the U.S. and many Foreign Countries. Reginald was a member of The Clayton Senior Travel Club. He also enjoyed working in his flowers and vegetables and vineyard. He was a member of The Master Gardeners Association of N.C. and The Baptist Church. He was a devoted and loving husband, father, and grandfather who enjoyed spending time with his family and friends. Preceded in death by his wife, Mary E. Poole, sister, Edna Earle Yopp, brother, Aubrey Poole. He is survived by his wife, Elizabeth Poole; daughter, Frances Poole Jones and husband, Newitt of Clayton; sons, Reginald Poole, Jr. and wife, Leanne of Clayton, James Russell Poole of Tampa, FL, Robert Ryan Poole of Clayton, David Randell Poole and wife, Mary of Raleigh; granddaughters, Stacy Jones Thompson and husband, Derek of Clayton, Shelly Jones Eatman and husband, Joey of Clayton; grandsons, Matthew Jones and wife, Fallon of Clayton, Ryan Poole of Clayton, Corey Poole of Clayton, Casey Poole of Clayton, Bryce Poole of Raleigh; great-granddaughter, Presley Jones of Clayton; stepsons, Howard Goodwin and family of Acworth, GA, Robert Goodwin and family of Coral Springs, FL, William Goodwin and family of Lake Worth, FL; brother, Duane Poole of Clayton; sister, Frances Yeargan of Garner; several nieces and nephews and extended family. The family will receive friends from 6:00-8:00 p.m., Friday, August 28, 2009 at McLaurin at Pinecrest, 12830 U.S. 70 Bus Hwy W, Clayton, NC. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, August 29, at 2:00 p.m. at McLaurin at Pinecrest, 12830 U.S. 70 Bus Hwy W, Clayton, NC with Rev. Robert Brooks officiating. A private family burial will be held at the military cemetery at Fort Bragg, NC at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to The Hocutt-Ellington Memorial Library, 100 South Church Street, Clayton, NC 27520 or The Johnston Hospice House Foundation, P.O. Box 1376, Smithfield, NC 27577. Condolences may be made to the family at www.mclaurinatpinecrest.com Arrangements by McLaurin at Pinecrest, Funerals & Cremations, Clayton.