Oneta Poole

Graveside services for Oneta Poole, 94, of Tyler, will be 11:30 a.m., Monday, October 26, 2020 at the Salem Cemetery, Rusk, Texas under the direction of Wallace-Thompson Funeral Home with Bro. Don Copeland officiating. Visitation will be 10:00 a.m., Monday until service time, October, 26, at the funeral home.

Oneta, as she was fondly known, was born to Marvin Samuel Gilbert and Ina Inez Gilbert in Rusk. Oneta was married on October 3, 1943, to James Edward Poole of Velasco.

Mrs. Poole was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, her granddaughter, Shaina Grogan Fraind Gafford of Vidor, Texas, her sister, Ramona Gilbert West of Rusk, daughter, Jimmie Inez Poole Bongio, son-in-law, Louis Bongio of Houston, son-in-law, Charles King of Katy and grandson, Kacy Aaron Gafford of Katy.

Oneta was a long-time Registered Nurse specializing in psychiatric nursing for the State of Texas where she held several Unit Nurse and Director of Nursing positions at Rusk State Hospital, Texas State Penitentiary, Rusk Memorial Hospital as well as various nursing homes throughout the United States as a Nurse Consultant. Mrs. Poole and her husband, James, traveled with a medical mission team for several years into Mexico to provide for the under privileged giving them medical treatment while also sharing the love and life of Jesus Christ.

Oneta thoroughly enjoyed spending quality time with all of her family as she truly embraced family gatherings and is so fondly remembered for her delicious recipes and cooking for her family, sewing, knitting and crocheting for others in her earlier years. Over the years, she attended community events as well as supported school functions, faithfully tithing to her church and giving to various charities and organizations.

Her children and all her grandchildren remarked that “Grandmommie” never forgot a birthday! She always sent a card, taping a few coins or sending a couple of loose dollar bills inside the card as a special small “fun” gift from her! She was a blessing for all to know! She will be dearly missed. Mrs. Poole was a member of the First Baptist Church, Tyler, Texas and a member of The Order of the Eastern Star.

She is survived by family members, including son and wife; Clayton & Pat Poole of Bryan/College Station; son & wife; Jerry & Sharon Poole of Nacogdoches; and daughter; Nancy Poole King of Katy, Texas. Grandchildren include; Cassi Noel Grogan Gilkeson & husband David Gilkeson of Santa Barbara, Calif; Kori Melay Grogan Spikes & husband Clifton Spikes of Tyler; Martin Russell Poole & wife Marlo Poole of Huntersville, N. C; Melissa Poole Johnson & husband, Matt Johnson of Lufkin, Stacie Poole Cearley of Bryan/College Station,; Jason Poole of Bryan/College Station; Clinton James Poole & wife Kelly Poole of Nacogdoches. Fourteen great-grandchildren include: Chris Wood, Patrick Wood, Daniel Fraind, Jada Spikes, Leah Spikes, Camden Poole, Carsyn Poole, Mattie Johnson, Macie Johnson, Loren Cearley, Sidney Cearley, Gabriella Poole, Hunter Poole and Hadleigh Poole, along with Brother-in-Law, Dan West and a host of nieces, nephews and cousins.

Pallbearers are Marty Poole, Clint Poole, Jason Poole, Daniel Fraind, Cliff Spikes and Matt Johnson. The Honory Pallbearer is Hunter Poole.