Clara Jane (Ford) Poole

The Poole families of Roanoke, San Diego, and Tuscaloosa are saddened to share the devastating news that our beloved mother, grandmother, and sister, Clara Jane Poole, 83, has left us.  She transitioned from this life on Wednesday evening, August 30, 2023 at Tanner Medical Center, East Alabama in Wedowee.   Mrs. Poole was a native of Roanoke, and one of our beloved Elementary Educators, having served in Public Education for at least 34 years.  She worked for both the Randolph County Schools, and the Roanoke City Schools.   She was also one of the most dedicated members of what was formerly known as Mount Bethel United Methodist Church.  We solicit your prayers as we anticipate the celebration of her life and homegoing.  Thank all of our friends and loved ones for the love and prayers.

In Loving Memory Of Mrs. Clara Jane (Ford) Poole

Miss Clara Jane Ford, a native, lifelong resident, and educator of Roanoke, AL, passed from this life on Wednesday evening, August 30, 2023, at age eighty-three (83).  By God’s Amazing Grace, Clara Jane was born into a home and a family where there was ALWAYS enough love to go around.  She was born to the parentage of Georgia Ann White, on July 10, 1940; and as a newborn infant, subsequently adopted by the late Mr. & Mrs.  E.S. and Lizzie (Pinkard) Ford who nurtured, raised and loved her — ushering her into adulthood. Although the Fords had a daughter of their own, Mildred Ford Russell, there was enough love in the Ford home, to adopt Clara Jane, and open their home to their nephew, Donald Eugene Hall, and granddaughter, Nancy Russell, all of whom they raised in their home as siblings who loved each other very much.

Despite the difficulties that African Americans faced at the time, “Clara Jane” — as all her friends and loved-ones called her — graduated from The Historic Randolph County Training School (R.C.T.S.) with the graduating class of 1959.   Her time and experiences at R.C.T.S.  prepared her well.  It was there where she learned the importance of an education.  The very next September of 1959, she immediately left Roanoke to enroll at Alabama A&M University in Huntsville as a Freshman student.  Four years later, on May 26-27th 1963, Clara Jane completed her Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education from A&M.   Her proud mother Mrs. Lizzie Ford, accompanied by the late Mr. and Mrs. Herman L. Shaw attended this momentous occasion for Clara Jane and her family.  

After graduating, Clara Jane returned to her beloved Alma Mater, The Randolph County Training School (R.C.T.S.) where she became part of the dynamic team of academicians, molding bright, youthful minds into functional and productive men and women of Randolph County.  Educating the future generations was her passion.  She was later employed on April 22, 1969, by the Roanoke City School System, teaching at Knight Enloe Primary School, where she labored faithfully — for 28 years — until her retirement on April 7, 1997.  She was a multi-talented individual, who was able to enhance her status by putting her skills to work as a wedding planner, and also as a successful sales representative for World Book Encyclopedia.  An active and engaged citizen and member of Roanoke's greater community Clara Jane was a member of the Southside Progressive Club, and in later years, the Bangorian Civic Club.   

Clara Jane Ford was a woman of family and faith.  In April of 1969, she married the love of her life, Mr. William “Sonny” Poole becoming Mrs. Clara Jane Ford Poole.  Sonny and Clara Jane remained together for forty years — until he transitioned from this life on March 20, 2009.  Clara was a devoted servant of God serving in many capacities as a member of the Mount Bethel United Methodist Church of Roanoke, Alabama.  She committed to being in her pew on Sundays at her local church.  Clara Jane’s zeal and servant's heart opened the door for her to become a delegate of the North Alabama Conference of the United Methodist Church representing both Bethel United Methodist Church and Mount Bethel United Methodist Church.  For many years, she was faithful in her attendance at The Annual Conference and always returned to make “entertaining” conference reports to both churches.

Mrs. Poole was preceded in death by her loving husband William “Sonny” Poole; her birth mother, Georgia Ann White and awesome parents, the late Mr. E.S. Ford and Mrs. Lizzie (Pinkard) Ford, and elder sibling, Mildred Ford Russell — who all welcomed her into heaven’s embrace.

Infinite memories to be shared by her loving sons: William Gerard Poole (Sarah) and Devin Poole both of San Diego, California and Quinton Poole of Tuscaloosa, Alabama; two beloved granddaughters: Destinee Poole, and Daishea Poole both of Riverside, CA; brothers: The Reverend Donald Eugene Hall of Charleston, SC, and Samuel White (Sandra) of Fort Wayne, IN; and beloved sisters: Nancy Russell of Montgomery, AL, Hazel Ware (Clark) of Anniston, AL, Dathne Wilkerson (Tom) of Scottsboro, AL, and Lauren Smith of Monroeville, CA;  a loving sister-in-law, Vickie Jones and brother-in-law Michael Jones both of Detroit, Michigan; a niece and nephew along with other friends, family and her hundreds of students who will remember her awesome teaching that changed and hopefully elevated their lives.

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