Edwin Seybourne Poole, Jr. passed away peacefully at home on Monday, September 12th after a valiant battle with Parkinson’s disease. Ed leaves this world with much to be grateful – a long, full life with many adventures; loving family and friends and a way of inspiring others to be kind, humble and to act with integrity.
Ed was born on September 26, 1934 in Rocky Mount, NC and was raised in Asheville, NC where he graduated from Lee Edward High School. He then attended and graduated from Duke University where he studied business and met his sweetheart, Jeanne Walker, who he married shortly after graduation. Ed was a proud member of Phi Kappa Sigma fraternity and maintained lifelong friendships with his brothers.
Ed began his career in the management training program at Davidson Department stores in Atlanta, GA. He was a quick learner and natural leader which gave him the opportunity to move his young family to Nashville, TN to manage Gus Mayer and later several Casual Corner stores. While in Nashville, Ed served as President of the local Kiwanis Club and was a devoted member of Belle Meade United Methodist Church. Ed moved his family to Columbus, GA in 1978 after becoming President of Casual Corner of Columbus, GA from 1978-1982. He then served as President and COO of Casual Corner of North Carolina from 1983-1988 after which he returned to Columbus as President of Sports Fantasy and The Game, sports merchandising companies of W.C. Bradley. One of Ed’s career highlights was organizing the merchandising and retail for the inaugural Olympic Torch Relay in 1996.
Ed loved sports and was quite accomplished at both bowling and golf. He shot his age twice at 71 and 72. He was a member of Green Island Country Club at which he served an extended term on the Board. Ed definitely had Duke “blue” blood and was passionate in rooting for his Blue Devils not only in basketball but all sports. Ed loved the fellowship of St. Paul’s United Methodist Church. He was active with his Sunday School class and was blessed to have met Carolyn Russell whom he married in the fall of 2017.
Ed is pre-deceased by his wife Jeanne and his eldest son, “Trey.” He is survived by his wife Carolyn; his children, Julia "Cissie" Sullivan (Michael) of Aiken, SC and Bryan D. Poole of Berlin, Germany and his granddaughter, Caroline Chapin Poole of New York, NY. Ed’s step-children include: James Clinton Russell, III, his wife Margaret Gallatin, their children James Clinton, IV and Molly Evelyn of Columbus, GA; Laura Lucille Jones and her husband David Ryan and their son Parker Clinton of Phenix City, AL.
A memorial service will be held at St. Paul United Methodist Church, 2101 Wildwood Ave. Columbus, Georgia 31906 on Wednesday, September 21, 2022 at 11:00 AM with Reverend Buddy Cooper and Reverend John Fugh, Jr. officiating. The Poole family will greet friends in the Miller-Wilson room of St. Paul United Methodist Church immediately after the service.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.shcolumbus.com for the Poole family.
