Mrs. Dorothy Gay Poole

Dorothy Gay “Dot” Poole was born on September 19, 1924 in Gay, Georgia in Meriwether County. Her father owned the general store, grew cotton and peaches and ran the post office. He was also a friend of Franklin Delano Roosevelt, whom he often accompanied to his therapy sessions at nearby Warm Springs. Dot remembered swimming in the healing waters next to the former President. Dot was quite the scholar and athlete in high school; playing tennis and basketball. Dot won the award for Best Actress in a state Drama competition. Dot attended Shorter College in Rome, Georgia then transferred to Agnes Scott College in Decatur, majoring in drama and art. While there, she attended a dance at the ATO fraternity house at Georgia Tech where she met the lover of her life, James Parrott “Polly” Poole. They were wed in August, 1942 and were married 66 years before Polly’s death in 2009.

Dot was a graciously charming “Southern” lady in every sense of the word. She began her own career as a portrait artist in 1962, after studying under the late Katherine Breen, James Yarborough, Roman and Constatin Chatov. She later taught classes for the Russian portraitists. Dot painted portraits of many well know Atlantans. As loyal supporter of her husband Polly’s beloved alma mater Georgia Tech, Dot painted Bobby Dodd, Homer Rice and Dean Dull, whose portraits can be seen on the campus. Her last painting, left unfinished, was of the former Tech President, Wayne Clough. Knowing that her artistic talent was a gift from God, she donated many of her portraits of pastors and evangelists to their respective churches. She was privileged to be a friend of Lloyd Ogilvie, former chaplain of the US Senate, whose portrait now hangs in California. While working as an artist, Dot owned and ran an antique shop in her home town and decorated many fine homes in Buckhead. Dot, a lover of all beautiful things, was a collector herself. She and Polly were long time patrons of the High Museum of Art. Dot was a member of the Wood Valley Garden Club. She loved her yard and gardens, which she personally designed. In the 50s and 60s, Dot was a runway model for Rich’s Magnolia tearoom and participated in many of Sol Kent’s Fashionata productions. She also modeled for J.P. Allen, Froshin’s and Regensteins.

Dot and Polly were among the founding members of Northside United Methodist Church, where Dot sang alto in the chancel choir for 55 years. She loved her friends in the Northside Bible Class, ladies’ Bible studies and exercise classes which she attended into her 80s. The Poole’s philanthropy helped many colleges, mission projects, scholarships, clubs and civic organizations. Dot funded the complete renovation of the Music Department at Northside which is named in her honor.

Dot is survived by her three daughters: Gayle Louise Poole, Pamela Poole Durden and her husband, Stan, and Donna Poole Zick; four grandchildren: Rev. Jim Payne and his wife, Lisa, Angela Morris and her husband, Dan, Stephanie Zick and Jennifer Zick; five great-grandchildren: Logan and Eliana Payne, and Ben, Chloe and Olivia Morris; as well as several nieces and nephews.

Dot knew that in going to heaven, she would see her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, as well as two sons and a daughter who all died shortly after birth. A private family interment will be held at Arlington Memorial Park, immediately followed by a memorial service of worship and praise celebrating the life of Dorothy Gay Poole, at two o’clock in the afternoon of Tuesday, the tenth day of May at Northside United Methodist Church, 2799 Northside Drive NW, Atlanta, Georgia 30305. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be sent to the Alzheimers’ Association, Georgia Chapter, 1925 Century Boulevard, Suite 10, Atlanta, Georgia 30345; or to Northside United Methodist Church (address above). The family will receive friends at H.M. Patterson & Son, Spring Hill, 1020 Spring Street NW, Atlanta, Georgia 30309, on Monday, the ninth day of May from five o’clock until seven o’clock in the evening. Her family wishes to extend profound thanks to all the loving, caring staff at Lenox Brighton Gardens, where Dot lived for the year prior to her passing on May 4, 2011. Special blessings go out to her private caretakers Geraldine Senior, Peggy Makle, Brenda Brown and Fannie Boone.