Mildred Poole

Mildred Poole was born on December 4, 1941, in Portal, Georgia. She peacefully passed away on June 30, 2026. At the age of four, her family moved to Youngstown, Ohio, where she was raised and graduated from East High School in 1960.

On April 1, 1961, Mildred married the love of her life, James E. Poole. Just a few months later, on July 5, 1961, James joined the United States Army, beginning a life of travel for their young family. During his military career, they lived in Germany, Hawaii, the Presidio in San Francisco, Fort Riley, Kansas, and Fort Lewis, Washington.

In 1975, Mildred and her family settled in Olympia, Washington. She began her career with the State of Washington in 1976, serving the Department of Licensing, the Department of Social and Health Services, and the Department of Labor and Industries. She retired in 2014 as an Office Support Supervisor after many years of dedicated public service.

Music and faith were at the heart of Mildred's life. She began singing in the choir at Elizabeth Missionary Baptist Church in Youngstown, Ohio. Her love of gospel music continued at Grace Chapel at Fort Lewis, Washington, and later at New Life Baptist Church, where she faithfully sang in the choir until her passing. She was also a proud member of the Gospel Music Workshop of America (GMWA), traveling throughout the United States to participate in workshops that celebrated her lifelong passion for gospel music.

Mildred loved traveling with her husband and children and treasured shopping trips with her daughter. She will be remembered for her unwavering faith, beautiful voice, and deep love for her family.

She is survived by her husband, James E. Poole; her daughter, Deborah J. Brown; her son, James O. Poole; her grandsons, Justin Purnell, Jelani E. Poole (Jolene), and Jamal A. Poole; her brother, William M. Love; her great-niece, LaKashia Love; her godchildren, Carolyn Sue McKinney of Youngstown, Ohio, Rev. Charles Gayton III of Los Angeles, California, and Riley Holmes of Tampa, Florida; as well as a host of nieces, nephews, close friends, and extended family.

Mildred was preceded in death by her father, Milton Love; her mother, Eulalor Hardy Love; her brother, Thomas J. Love; her sister, Lois Love; her niece, Katrina A. Love; and her goddaughter, Michelle Lytle Alli.