Claude Edward "Punkin" Poole, Sr.

Claude Edward "Punkin" Poole, Sr, went home to be with our Lord and Savior on January 27, 2026. He passed away peacefully in his sleep, with no suffering whatsoever, at Summerhill Senior Living Center in Perry, Georgia.

Funeral services will be held at Southerland Funeral Chapel, Eastman, GA at 3:00 pm on Friday, January 30, 2026, with Rev. Kenneth McEntire officiating. Interment will follow in Bay Springs Freewill Baptist Church Cemetery in Dodge County. 

The family will receive friends in Southerland Funeral Chapel from 2:00PM-3:00PM on Friday, January 30, 2026.

Claude was born in Hall County on May 11, 1936, to the late Rev. Henry Poole and Amanda "Mandy" (Hawkins) Poole. He excelled at basketball and was recruited by Airline High School to play with them, and later graduated in 1954. He proudly served the country that he loved so very much in the U.S. Army for 3 years. Claude worked for 44 years in the textile industry, retiring as a Training Instructor. He lived in Hall County all his life up until his retirement years, and spent his later years in Centerville, Ga to be closer to his daughter. He loved the Lord with all of his heart. His deepest desire was to see others saved. He was a member of Timber Ridge Baptist Church and loved the simple pleasures of life. He had an uncanny ability to find happiness in daily activities. He loved listening to gospel music, studying his Bible and watching sports, especially Georgia Bulldogs football and Atlanta Braves baseball. He loved good food and special Sunday dinners, but most of all, he loved all of his family immensely and prayed for them.

In addition to his mother and father, Claude was preceded in death by his loving wife, Patsy (Brown) Poole, sister, Dixie Poole, brother, Billy Poole, sisters and brothers-in law, Helen (Lit) Hawkins, Nellie (Arnie) Sloan , Sally (Richard) Miller, Edna (Ed) McEntire, and brothers and sisters-in-law, Boyd (Ethel) Poole, Ben (Myrlon) Poole, and son-in-law, Earl Lovell.

Those left to honor and remember his love are his children: son, Edward Poole (Ann); daughter and son (in-law), Lana and Mike Graham; daughter, Rena Lovell; grandchildren, Amy Poole, Alex Poole(Claudia), Edward Poole, Erin Poole, Emma Poole, Ella Poole, Matt(step-son), Mandy Graham and McCrae Lovell; great-grandchildren, Mya, Audrey and Libby. He is also survived by sister-in-law, Marie Poole. Claude was an uncle, great uncle, great-great uncle, and great-great-great uncle to more than 125 nieces and nephews. A host of other family members and friends also survive.

A special Thank You to the Veranda West Memory Care Unit for loving and caring for our loved one like family. We will cherish you forever in our hearts. Thank you also to Gentiva Hospice. We were so blessed to have you on our team. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to Tunnels to Towers, in honor of Claude and his service to this great nation. 

Announcement courtesy of McGahee-Griffin & McEntire Funeral Home of Cornelia, Georgia. (706/778-8668)