Billie Lynn Poole, Sr.

Mr. Billie Lynn Poole, Sr., 84, of Salemburg, North Carolina passed away May 16, 2021.

Born on May 20, 1936, at the end of the Great Depression, Mr. Poole was raised to respect the

opportunity to work, in fact, to cherish it. Mr. Poole grew up in Sampson County picking cotton and

cropping tobacco. He learned the importance of hard work and Christian values early in life taught

to him by his mother, Ada Currie Poole as well as, his two special aunts, Mazie and Kate.

After graduating from Roseboro High School, Billie left home in 1954 to attend Wake Forest

University. He joined the Sigma Pi fraternity, and in 1955 was proudly selected as a freshman to join

the baseball team as a catcher. He loved the Demon Deacons and one of his greatest joys in life was

to tell everyone how proud he was to be part of a team that won the 1955 College World Series.

Upon graduating from Wake Forest in 1958, with a bachelor of science in biology, he began teaching

at Stedman School. He coached the mens’ baseball and girls’ basketball teams. One evening, after a

game, an athlete introduced him to her older sister, Joyce, who had been sitting in the stands. At that

moment he had met the love of his life. Billie and Joyce were soon married on December 20, 1959.

Shortly after beginning his teaching career and marrying Joyce, Mr. Poole would join the Army. He

was first stationed at Fort Sam Houston in Texas before rotating back to Fort Bragg in North

Carolina. From there, it was off to Korea for a year and half, where he served in the budgetary office

as well as a medic. He ended his service as a 1st Lieutenant.

It was while he was in the Army that Mr. Poole decided to attend law school. He explained that it

was a friend of his, while in service, that first sparked his interest in law. After his discharge Mr.

Poole was off again to graduate school. He graduated from Law School at Wake Forest in 1965

earning a Doctorate in Jurisprudence.

In 1965 he returned home to practice law with R. Maurice Holland in Roseboro. Billie worked for

Holland in the beginning, and then they formed the partnership and established professional roots

in Clinton at the firm known today as Holland, Poole, Holland & Sanderson, P.A. Mr. Poole retired in

2014 after 49 years of service.

As a young couple, Billie and Joyce Poole made their home in Salemburg where they lovingly raised

two children, Bill Poole Jr. and Anne Kathryn Poole Carter.

Public service has always been important to Billie. He served on the prestigious State Board of Law

Examiners for 8 years, The BB&T Board of Trustees and as the Attorney for Star Communications

and the Town of Roseboro for 20+ years.

Mr. Poole has earned numerous awards and honors over the years in recognition of his public and

civic service. His most treasured milestone achievement was earning the rank of Eagle Scout,

through the Boy Scouts of America, which signifies a dedication and workload that few can achieve.

Additionally, he was honored with the highest rating in legal ability and ethical standards by his

professional peers across the State of North Carolina.

Mr. Poole was a lifelong member of Roseboro United Methodist Church where he was an active

member for over 70 years. He served in many capacities at the church including but not limited to

the Administrative board, Finance committee, Sunday School teacher, and served as a lay speaker.

He is preceded in death by his mother Ada Currie Poole. Special aunts Mazie Currie, Kate Owen as

well as special sister Virginia Turlington Strickland.

He is survived by his wife, Joyce Crumpler Poole; Son, Billie L. Poole, Jr and wife Crystal of

Salemburg. Daughter, Kathy Poole Carter and husband Gary of Salemburg. Six grandchildren, Carly

Poole Fogleman and husband, Eric of Four Oaks. Matthew Ryan Poole of Stedman. Kelly Bryan

Lennon and husband Leon, of Evergreen. Cary Burns of Roseboro. Kathryn Currie Carter of Raleigh

and Hayden Gary Carter of Salemburg and special niece, Marcella Strickland Bonner and husband

Jack of Salemburg. He has four great-grandchildren Emilia and Nolan Fogleman, Andrew Jacob

Bryan and Leon Jaxon (Jax) Lennon.

The family would like to express their gratitude for the compassion and care shown to Mr. Poole by

Dr. Lawrence J. Watts, Tommie Briscoe of Community Hospice, and Rebecca Pope of Interim

Healthcare as well as the care team at the State Employees Credit Union Hospice House in

Smithfield, NC. They also would like to thank special caregivers Betty Gatlin, Theresa King, Martha

Carlisle, Lenora McLamb, Pat Bryant, Nadine Sloan, Tracey Milligan, and Demaris Yelverton.

The family will receive friends for visitation on Wednesday May 19, 2021 from 6:00pm - 8:00pm at

Butler Funeral Home in Roseboro, N.C.

Services will be held at Roseboro United Methodist Church on Thursday May 20, 2021 at 3:00 pm

officiated by Rev. Bobby Herring with the graveside service immediately following at the Roseboro

Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to Roseboro United Methodist Church P.O. Box 8 Roseboro, NC 28382.

Arrangements made by Butler Funeral Home of Roseboro.