Harriet Louise Poole, 96, of Chatham, IL, formerly of Memphis, died Saturday, June 23, at St. John’s Hospital in Springfield, IL.
She was born the daughter of Ira Curtis and Zelpha Elizabeth (Wade) Baker on December 14, 1921 in Memphis.
Harriet attended the Conyers and Dover Schools before graduating from the Memphis High School in May 1941.
She enlisted in the United States Navy on July 8, 1944. She served during World War II, attaining the rank of Yeoman, Second Class serving in the Bronx, NY, Cedar Falls, IA, Norman, OK and Memphis, TN. Harriet earned an American Theater Ribbon and Victory Medal for her service. She served four years and nine months in the Navy.
She married Clifford William Wood on June 16, 1949 in Great Lakes, IL. He preceded her in death on August 5, 1958.
She later married Harry E. Poole on August 1, 1973 in Bolivar, MO. He preceded her in death on April 11, 1983.
Harriet worked at the Farmers’ Home Administration for 30 years. She was a member of the Memphis First Christian Church, the Wallace W. Gillespie #4958 V.F.W. Auxiliary, the National Association of Retired Federal Employees of the U.S. Department of Agriculture No. 0787 of Kirksville, Navy Alumni Club of Norman, OK and the Waves National Corporation.
She was preceded in death by her husbands; her parents; a son, William Clifford Wood; a son-in-law, David Fagg; two brothers, Harley and Hollis Baker, and a sister, Lillian Baker.
She is survived by her children: Karen Rae Wood-Fagg of Muskogee, OK; Sharron Kay (Rodney) Shaw of Mt. Hope, KS, and Edward Arthur (Kelly) Wood of Chatham, IL; grandchildren: Cheri Wood Herman, Shannon Richard Wood, Aaron Shaw, Rebecca Shaw, Tyler Wood and Eric Wood; several great grandchildren and great-great grandchildren.
Funeral services will be at 12 p.m., Thursday, June 28, at the Gerth Funeral Chapel with Jack Sumption, pastor of the Memphis First Christian Church, officiating. Burial with military honors provided by the Wallace W. Gillespie Memorial V.F.W. Post #4958 of Memphis and the Missouri Military Honors Program.
Visitation is from 11 a.m. – 12 p.m. on Thursday prior to the service at the funeral home.
Memorials, in lieu of flowers, are suggested to the Memphis First Christian Church and may be left at or mailed to the Gerth Funeral Service, 115 S. Main St., Memphis, MO 63555.
One comment
So sorry to hear of your mother’s death. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
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