Gene & Carol Poole

Marvin Eugene (Gene) Poole, age 84 and Carolyn (Carol) Kistler Poole, age 85, passed away together peacefully at their home on December 20, 2021 with family members at their bedside. They had recently celebrated 58 years of marriage.

Marvin Eugene (Gene) Poole was the second child of the late Samuel Gaither (Sam) Poole and Della Mae Owens Poole. He was born on August 17,1937 in Mecklenburg County. He attended Long Creek Elementary and North Mecklenburg High School, graduating in 1955. Gene furthered his education starting at Lees McRea Jr. College and graduating from Appalachian State Teachers College (now University) in 1960. After completing his student teaching at McClintock Junior High in Charlotte, he enlisted in the Army and served from 1960-1966 with the Army security agency in Germany during the Berlin Crisis followed by Army Reserves. He taught two years at Cochrane Junior High then moved on to do instructional training for RH Bouligny. He then joined the HR department at the Westinghouse Steam Turbine Plant (now Siemens Energy) when it opened in 1969. He also served as a second shift quality control officer. He stayed with Westinghouse/Siemens until his retirement in 1998. He also served on the board at Arrowood Association Credit Union for many years.

Carolyn (Carol) Ann Kistler Poole was the oldest of four children born to D.L. Kistler and Mary Hazel McManus Kistler on July 20, 1936. She attended Charlotte Mecklenburg schools, graduating from East Mecklenburg in 1954. She continued her education starting at Mars Hill and graduating from Wake Forest College (now University) in 1958 with a degree in education. She returned to the Charlotte area and taught at McClintock Junior High. In addition to teaching, she also worked with the cheerleaders. She continued in the CMS school system for several years before leaving to raise her children and work part-time at her parent’s business, Shamrock Hardware. After her father retired, she took over the bookkeeping duties at the store full time until it closed in 2001.

Gene and Carol met while they were both teaching at McClintock Junior High. They were married on November 24, 1963 when he returned from Germany. In 1966, their son Craig was born, followed by daughter Leah in 1968. They were both faithful church members and served at Oakhurst Baptist, Shamrock Drive Baptist, and St. John’s Baptist churches. They loved the Lord and lived as faithful servants. They both served as Deacons and in many other capacities such as youth chaperones, worship greeters and supported their two children in their many church activities – youth events, ball games, fund raisers and mission trips. Gene also assisted with Baptist Men fund raisers, served as treasurer, and helped with security. Carol participated in Woman’s Missions Organization (WMU), decorated for banquets, maintained a display window and taught Sunday school. Church was a big part of their lives and they not only participated but walked the walk and talked the talk as Christians.

Marvin Eugene (Gene) Poole was preceded in death by his parents and his brother Ret. Col. James R. Poole.

Carolyn (Carol) Ann Kistler Poole was preceded in death by her parents, brother Ronald (Ron) L. Kistler and sister Barbara Kistler Richardson (George Richardson).

They are survived by son Craig (Faye Mitchell-deceased) of Charlotte and daughter Leah (husband Scott Callender) of Mount Holly NC; sisters Brenda Kistler Bouler and Carolyn Hughes, sister-in-law Margaret Poole and numerous nieces and nephews.

Special thanks to Novant Hospice & Palliative Care for taking such good care of Gene and Carol. We would also like to thank Wellness Watchers and CarePoint Home Health for their services.

A service honoring Gene and Carol's lives will be held 1:00 pm Tuesday, December 20, 2022, at St. John's Baptist Church, 300 Hawthorne Lane, Charlotte, North Carolina 28204. The family will receive friends and family following the service.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. John’s Baptist Church, 300 Hawthorne Lane, Charlotte, North Carolina 28204 or to CurePSP, 30 E. Padonia Road, Suite 201, Timonium, Maryland 21093-9923 (www.curepsp.org).

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.mcewenminthillchapel.com for the Poole family.