Jeanne Walker Poole

Jeanne Walker Poole rose to her Lord after a brief illness, in the presence of her family on February 1, 2016, in Columbus, Georgia. She was born in Nashville, Tennessee to Elizabeth Stone and Elbert Walker on January 12, 1936, and was raised there until she entered Duke University. There she met life-long friends as well as her husband-to-be, Edwin S. Poole, Jr. (Ed), whom she wed in 1957.

Their married life began in Atlanta, with Jeanne working in advertising, a career that continued as they moved to Nashville, Charlotte, and Columbus, where they have lived since 1987. She had a passion for helping others and volunteering as shown through her loyal service to B.R.I.D.G.E., the Food Bank within the Wynnton Neighborhood Network, as a member of the Columbus Symphony's board, and at St. Paul United Methodist Church, where she and Ed have been part of the congregation for more than 25 years.

Throughout her life, Jeanne always was a strong and caring wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and friend. She has been a firm supporter of her children and friends' interests in the arts, and everyone could rely on Jeanne as a wise counselor and advocate, guiding us toward God's path. Those who knew Jeanne well also can speak of her lifelong affection for literature from W.H. Auden to Walker Percy. She is survived by her husband; her sister Nancy Walker Newton of Brunswick, Georgia; her children Edwin S. Poole, III, of Charlotte, Julia (Cissie) Sullivan of Aiken, South Carolina, and Bryan D. Poole, of Athens, Georgia; and by her granddaughter Caroline C. Poole, an undergraduate at New York University.

A visitation will be held from 6-8 PM on Wednesday, February 3, at Striffler-Hamby funeral home, 4071 Macon Road, Columbus. On Thursday, Feburary 4, after a private inurnment, the family invites friends and family to a celebration of Jeanne's life at 2 PM at St. Paul United Methodist Church, 2101 Wildwood Avenue, Columbus, officiated by Rev. Dr. Shane Green and Rev. John Fugh.. In lieu of flowers, the family wishes that donations be made in honor of Jeanne in care of Saint Paul United Methodist Church for the Ukraine Mission, B.R.I.D.G.E., and the Wynnton Neighborhood Network.