Larry Wayne Poole

Larry Wayne Poole
09/15/1948 – 11/26/2022

Larry Wayne Poole, born on September 15, 1948, in West Jefferson, NC, passed away on November 26, 2022, in Winston-Salem, NC. Originally from Alleghany County, NC, Larry lived the first part of his life in Twin Oaks and the latter years in Sparta. Larry graduated from Sparta High School in 1966 where he excelled in football and playing guitar in a band with his high school buddies. Larry married his high school sweetheart, Linda Darlene Chappell of Ennice, NC in 1966 and was blessed with a loving marriage of 56 years.

Larry also graduated from Appalachian State University in Boone, NC in 1973, earning his Bachelor of Science degree in accounting. Upon graduating, his passion for numbers lead to the start of his corporate career in accounting with IRC/TRW in Newland, NC. Larry quickly ascended and was transferred following his first year with the company to TRW operations in Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico as Controller, where he relocated his young family, including children Darren and Kim, and where the youngest, Byron, was born. Over the next 15 years he became an International Finance Analyst for TRW Brazilian operations, traveling while based in Ogallala, NE, then moving from finance to operations as he returned to be General Manager of TRW Guadalajara, Mexico operations and then Vice President of Operations as TRW divisions were acquired & merged with American Shizuki and Northrop Grumman. Ultimately Larry returned to his hometown of Sparta, NC in 1987 to join his younger brother Gary and father Willie Lee to start a printing company, New River Graphics as he transitioned toward retirement.

Larry enjoyed a variety of simple pleasures in life with his family, including traveling, camping, fishing, boating, golf, and playing guitar, to name a few. He was always ready to support family, friends, and even new acquaintances and equally grateful for the opportunity to help those however he could when needed. Larry loved his church family and appreciated being able to serve as a deacon of the Little Pine Covenant Brethren Church in Ennice, NC.

Larry was preceded in death by his parents, Willie Lee and Blanche Goodman Poole of Twin Oaks, NC, father-in-law and mother-in-law, Reaves Ellis and Mildred Higgins Chappell of Ennice, NC, brother-in-law Austol Youmans, Jr. of Lexington, SC, nephew Matthew Hodge of Jonesville, NC, sister Billie Smith of Ennice, NC and brother-in-law Richard Chappell of Houston, TX. Larry is survived by his wife, Linda Chappell Poole of the home, children Darren Wayne Poole of Winston-Salem, NC, Kimberly Isabella Mazurek of Sparta, NC and Byron Lee and Angie Rife Poole of Sparta, NC. Grandchildren Grayson Alexander Poole and Myra Laci Beth Scott of Sparta, NC. Sisters Kay Youmans of Lexington, SC, Joyce and Harold Moxley of Murphy, NC and Kathy and Lanny Hodge of Jonesville, NC, one brother, Gary and Beverly Poole of Sparta, NC, brother-in-law Roger Smith of Ennice, NC and sister-in-law Barbara Chappell of Houston, TX.

Larry is also survived by nieces Lisa and Mike Schaffer of Galax, VA, LaDonna and Brian Cavanaugh of Murphy, NC, Lori and Dan Park of Murphy, NC, Devona and Joey Hardee of Gilbert, SC, Erica and Chris Whitten of Gaston, SC, Lana and Scott Lucas of Jonesville, NC, Brittany and Brandon Wyatt of Charlotte, NC, Heather Chappell and Cristian Castillo of Houston, TX, and Wendy Hodge (Mathew) of Jonesville, NC. Nephews Landon and Lannie Moxley of Fort Belvoir, VA, Austol, III and Crystal Youmans of Lexington, SC, Shannon Hodge of Taylorsville, NC, Jerad Poole of Charlotte, NC, and Matthew Chappell of Houston, TX. Several great nieces and nephews, great-great nephew, and cousins also survive, including cousin Earl Dean Reed of Columbia, SC.

Funeral services are planned for Sunday, December 11th at 2:00pm with family receiving visitors one hour prior at 1:00pm at Thomas Family Funeral Services, 115 Hawthorne Street, Sparta, NC 28675, followed by burial at the Little Pine Covenant Brethren Church Cemetery, 2740 Barrett Road, Ennice, NC 28623. Brother Ed Hall will be officiating.

The family requests in lieu of flowers that donations may be made to the Little Pine Covenant Brethren Church Cemetery Fund, P.O. Box 34, Ennice, NC 28623.

Thomas Family Funeral Services in Sparta, NC is in charge of arrangements. If you wish, online tributes may be extended to the family at www.thomasfamilyfs.com.

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