Mary Kathleen Poole Power

Kathleen was born August 28, 1934, in McAdams, Mississippi in Attala County. She was born in the same house her father was born in. Her parents were Luther and Lois Thrailkill Poole. She had two older brothers – Bert Poole of Lakeland, Tennessee and “Buddy” Poole, deceased, of Collierville, Tennessee.

She lived most of her young life growing up in Canton, Mississippi. She graduated from Canton High School and attended Holmes Junior College in Goodman, Mississippi. That is where she met “the guy with the winning smile,” Billy B. Power. Billy asked her to the Botany class picnic, and they knew it would be a picnic for ever after. Kathleen and Billy were very happily married for 57 years before his passing in 2010. She so enjoyed riding the four-wheeler with Billy down at the cabin after he retired.

She leaves three children: Lee Power (Memphis), Van Power and wife Tracey (Rosemark) and Joy Burke and husband Rick (Hot Springs, AR). She had five grandchildren: Patrick Power (Kristen), Elizabeth Burke Pierotti (Matthew), Eric Power (Courtney), Adam Power, and Richard Burke (Neila). She also had nine great grandchildren: Samatha, Katie and PJ Power; Bennett and Graham Pierotti; Knox and Raleigh Power; Amelia and Addison Burke. In addition, she leaves behind a host of nieces, nephews and extended family and friends.

She has been a member of Bartlett Hills – Raleigh Baptist Church for over 65 years. She taught preschool children in the church for over 50 years. Everyday shared with them was a joy. She is still known as “Miss Kathleen” by many of those now adult children. She worked with a group of Acteen girls for five years. Those young ladies all worked hard and became Queens during that time. It was a pleasure watching them work in the church as they grew older. She was a member of the Work & Win Sunday School class. She loved all her friends in that class.

Kathleen loved and adored her family. She also loved to cook; many people came to know Kathleen from some of the food she prepared.

A Few of Her Favorite Things

Kathleen was an enthusiastic supporter of the University of Memphis Tigers and also cheered for the University of Tennessee Volunteers. She found great enjoyment in reading, with a special fondness for the works of Louis L’Amour. Music brought her much happiness, especially the songs of Elvis Presley and old-time gospel tunes. Shopping was another one of her delights; she was known for her skill and enjoyment as a thrift store shopping aficionado.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Bartlett Hills Baptist Church or to the Susan G. Komen Foundation for Breast Cancer.

Visitation will be held at Memphis Funeral Home and Memorial Gardens, 3700 North Germantown Parkway, Bartlett, TN 38133, US, on March 13, 2026, from 10:00 am to 11:00 am, followed by a Funeral Service at the same location from 11:00 am to 11:40 am.

A Committal Service will take place at Memory Hill Gardens, 3700 North Germantown Parkway, Bartlett, TN 38133, US, on March 13, 2026, from 12:00 pm to 12:30 pm.