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FRANKLIN – The Heavenly choir has added another beautiful soprano voice, as Marion Drake Poole was called home to be with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Thursday June 9, 2022. Marion passed away peacefully in her home surrounded by her children. Born in Newsoms, she was the daughter of the late Genie and Mary B. “Lizzie” Drake. She was predeceased by her beloved husband of 42 years, Dick C. Poole, cherished longtime companion Robert L. Jones and dearest family friend, Horace L. Pierce Jr.

Marion loved cooking, her motto being, “a little sugar makes everything taste better.” Home making and gardening were God’s blessings to Marion. Some of her favorite past-times included reading, studying her bible, playing cards “to win,” quilting, traveling and visiting the soothing shores of the Outer Banks. Nothing made Marion happier than visiting family and friends, watching her great-grandchildren play baseball and listening to her son sing.

Marion was a 1951 graduate of Newsom’s High School in Newsoms. As her children entered school, Marion returned to the work force. Professionally, she provided exceptional customer service as a long time employee of Leggett Department Stores and the former BB&T bank, from which she retired after 26 years of service.

Marion lived her faith daily. A member of the Franklin Baptist Church for the past 70 years, the church and its members were her extended family. Her many church activities included, memberships in the Faithful Worker’s Sunday school class, the Chancel Choir, the Women’s Missionary Union, the Francis Hudgins Circle, the 39’s Couple’s Club, the flower and social committees. She was especially honored to serve two terms as a church deacon.

Lovingly cherishing her memory, are her son, Richard A. Poole and daughter, Elizabeth P. Drake of Franklin. They are thankful she has eternally joined their father, her beloved “Hard Head.” Her brothers, George T. Drake, Sr. (Mary), Curtis W. Drake (Margie) and sister, Loretta D. Faison (Mills), are joyous that she has been reunited with their parents. Her four grandchildren, Travis Poole Holland (Erin), Matthew L. Drake (Amy), Jason W. Drake, Crystal D. Lowe (Bobby) and her precious great-grandchildren, Kylar, Dallas, Noelle Elizabeth, and Camryn Holland, Grady and Adalynn Drake, Olivia and Thomas Lowe, are now blessed to have their beloved “GiGi” as their guardian angel. Her “grandbeagle Bailey” will always relish the fact that he turned her into a dog-lover. Her sisters in life, Stell D. Pierce and Louise D. Pixley, many beloved nieces, nephews, cousins and life-long friends will hold her close in their hearts, knowing she is resting in peace in her Heavenly home.

A celebration of Marion’s life will be held on Tuesday, June 14, at 4 p.m. at The Franklin Baptist Church, 208 N. High Street, Franklin, VA, 23851 with a reception following immediately in the Church’s Fellowship Hall. Interment will be private prior to the memorial service. The family wishes to thank the exceptional staff of The Village at Wood’s Edge, her sitters and the caring staff of Kindred Hospice who provided loving care throughout mom’s illness. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial donations be made to The Franklin Baptist Church, or to the Freidreich’s Ataxia Research Alliance, 533 W. Uwchlan Ave., Downingtown, PA 19335, or online at www.curefa.org/donate.

www.wrightfuneralhome.org