Harriett Morrison Poole

Harriet Morrison Poole, 93, died peacefully on Oct. 28, 2016, at the Stewart Health Center at Springmoor in Raleigh, NC. Harriet was born and raised in Birmingham, AL. She attended Mountain Brook School, Phillips High, and graduated from Duke University. In 1946, she married Robert Franklin (Frank) Poole, Jr., a student at Duke Medical School. Following medical school, they lived in Kure, Japan, Hot Springs, AK and moved to Raleigh in 1954 where Frank began his pediatric practice on Hillsborough Street.

Harriet quickly became involved with a growing Raleigh and dedicated her life to helping others through volunteerism.

Her first child, Frankie, had cerebral palsy and was quadriplegic. He passed away in 1956 at the age of 7, setting into motion a lifetime of tirelessly giving of her time and talents to help those around her. She worked as an advocate and board member of the CP Center that later became the Tammy Lynn Center. Some of her final writings spoke of the lessons she learned from having a handicapped child, many of which were shown in the way she lived her life to make others feel known and loved, no matter how they appeared to the rest of the world.

Harriet served as president of the Wake County Medical Auxiliary helping it to become a volunteer force in Raleigh. She was actively involved with the Rex Hospital Guild, served as president and helped to develop the garden area at Rex Hospital; an inviting retreat in time of need. She was also a member of the Citizens Advisory Board of the Duke University Cancer Center.

Harriet was very involved with the NC Museum of Art in its early days by being the chairman of the museum volunteers, chairman of the museum guild, and was state membership chairman of the NC Art Society. She loved to entertain and would often hold functions at home for all the volunteers or to help raise funds for the museum, doing much of the cooking herself. Some of her recipes are in the first NC Art Museum cookbook, and her cinnamon rolls were a welcomed sight by friends at Christmas time.

Harriet served in the Junior League of Raleigh starting in 1957 and was a member of the Raleigh Fine Arts Society. She was active at White Memorial Presbyterian Church where she was able to use her flower arranging skills, as well as help with the development of a memorial garden.

In the 1970s, Harriet and Frank purchased a lot in the early stages of the development of Smith Island, and their love affair with Bald Head began. As part of the Generator Society, the elegant lady who loved her high heels worked alongside her husband almost every weekend to build their “Tree House” across from the alligator pond. Even after 30 years, it was never quite finished and looked liked it belonged in a Swiss Family Robinson movie, but she loved it. She engaged whole-heartedly in the Bald Head Island community by serving on the homeowners board and the chapel board. She and Frank often invited island visitors they met on the ferry over to the house, and loved entertaining guests.

Although Harriet loved volunteering, her life revolved around her family. She helped with homework, refereed sibling squabbles, and cheered her children on in all their sporting events. Although she was a Duke Blue Devil, she became a Tiger fan for the sake of her Clemson-loving family. She would often be hostess to visiting foreigners that Frank met through Rotary, and they loved to travel, having many dear friends in other countries. She was competitive on the tennis courts until the age of 80 and had the same foursome who played weekly for over 40 years. She had many wonderful friends who say they never heard a complaint or negative word from her. Strong in her faith, she was always optimistic, gentle and humble. She truly lived a life of gratefulness and joy and will be missed by all who knew her.

Harriet was preceded in death by her husband of 67 years, Dr. Robert Franklin Poole, Jr., parents Truman Aldrich Morrison and Florence Scofield, brother Truman, and son Frankie.

Harriet is survived by her sons Jim (Lillian) and Bill, daughter Cindy Poole Roberts (David); grandchildren: Jimmy (Katie), Matthew (Ashley), Chris (Maury), William, Branson, Dash and Alex Bumgardner; eight great-grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held on Thursday, November 3, 2016 at 2:00 pm at White Memorial Presbyterian Church in Raleigh. Visitation will follow the service at White Memorial. There will be a private family service at the Clemson University Cemetery, date to be determined.

The family is most appreciative of the excellent and loving care Harriet has received from Linda May and Ann Swift, and most recently, the caring staff and Angels of the Stewart Health Center at Springmoor and Transitions LifeCare.

In lieu of flowers, family and friends who wish to honor Harriet Poole may send memorial gifts to The Tammy Lynn Center, 739 Chappell Drive, Raleigh, NC 27606, or to White Memorial Presbyterian Church, 1704 Oberlin Rd., Raleigh, NC 27608.

Arrangements by Brown-Wynne Funeral Home, Saint Mary's St., Raleigh, NC.