Elaine Poole

Elaine Pamela Slifer was born on July 12, 1949 in Saint Albans Navy Hospital in Queens NY to parents Allen W. Slifer and Florence D. Slifer. Typical of the times, they were a military family and moved frequently while her father was on active duty in the Navy. They were often stationed for 2-3 years at each location. During those travels, Elaine made many friends since she always had a smile on her face and was active in each school she attended. She was also very supportive of her mother and big brother when her dad was away on sea duty in a far-off locale.

Elaine attended high school in California and Virginia, graduating in 1967 from Cypress High in Orange County California. She was a skilled artist and was accepted to Richmond Polytechnic Institute (now VCU) as an art student; she completed her studies in 1973 while living in Richmond, Virginia. She worked for the FDIC for 3 years, then at the Treasury Department, Office of the Comptroller of the Currency for 10 years as an administrator. She met her husband, Cliff, while working at the Treasury Department. They were married in 1979, and their marriage lasted 36 years, until his death in 2015.

Clif and Elaine had 2 children, Allen and Laura, both while living in Dallas, TX. They moved to Atlanta, GA in 1986, which was when Elaine decided she wanted to stop working and become a full-time mom. She was devoted to bringing up Allen and Laura. She was heavily involved in school and after-school activities. Elaine always found creative ways to make life for Allen and Laura fun, exciting, and happy. When Clif retired in 1995 the family moved to Charlotte, NC.

While living in Charlotte, Elaine was an avid tennis player, playing Queen City tennis and USTA with Providence Plantation, year round. It was here that she met many of her closest friends, who will remember her for being a sweet, kind and wonderful friend. She made friends everywhere she went, around the neighborhood walking her dog, her Providence Presbyterrian Church and everywhere she ran her weekly errands. (the grocery store, pharmacy, vet, starbucks, the list goes on and on). While at home she loved to cook, garden and play the piano, as her dog lay by her side to listen.

After her husband Clif passed away in 2015, Elaine became an eager traveler, visiting her brother in Washington, DC and Palm Beach, FL. She joined her daughter Laura in many Colorado adventures where she even climbed a glacier! She also enjoyed many long weekends with her beloved granddaughter, Claire.

She will be remembered for her joy of birds, flowers, and music, as well as her kindness towards everyone she came in contact with, and the love she had for her family and friends. Even in the last years of her life, as she moved into the later stages of dementia, Elaine was always seen smiling, singing, and laughing and had the same impact she always had with everyone she interacted with.

Elaine is preceded in death by her husband of 36 years, Clifton Addison Poole Jr. and Son Allen Poole. She is survived by her daughter Laura Poole of Alexandria, VA, her Granddaughter, Claire Poole of San Antonio, TX and her Brother Richard Slifer of Palm Beach Gardens, FL. In lieu of flowers the family asks that you make a donation to the Alzheimer's Association, so we can continue to try and find a cure for this debilitating disease.

A memorial service will be held in celebration of Elaine's life on Saturday April 30th at 2pm at Providence Presbyterian Church, in Charlotte, NC.