Marilyn LeCroy Poole

Marilyn was born in Toccoa, Georgia and grew up in Hart County where her father, Roscoe LeCroy, was principal of Air Line School. Marilyn graduated from Hart County High School in 1971 as an honor graduate. She achieved lots of success in 4-H, which would lead her to a successful career. She graduated from the University of Georgia with a Bachelor of Science Degree in 1975 in Home Economics Education cum laude (now Family and Consumer Sciences).

Marilyn married the love of her life, Michael Poole on July 5, 1975. They moved to Monticello, Georgia where he coached high school football, and she began her career as the Jasper County Extension Agent with a joint appointment as FACS agent/4-H agent. She began an outstanding career of working with people through Georgia 4-H teaching them lifelong skills including public speaking, leadership development and decision making. She became the 4-H Agent in Athens-Clarke County in 1981 and created a 4-H legacy in Athens-Clarke County with her co-worker, Bo Ryles.

Marilyn received her Master’s Degree in Adult Education from the University of Georgia in 1987. She also worked as 4-H Agent for both Athens-Clarke County and Oconee County going to every school in both counties each month. In 1998, she was named Athens-Clarke County Coordinator until December 2003. Then, she was named Northeast District 4-H Program Development Coordinator beginning in January, 2004 for the 39 counties in Northeast Georgia.

After her full-time retirement on September 1, 2009, Marilyn worked part-time with University of Georgia Extension Service as EFNEP (Expanded Foods Nutrition Education Program) Specialist with counties from across Georgia and with Georgia 4-H with Health Rocks, a National 4-H Grant until September, 2016.

Marilyn spent her entire 41-year career with the University of Georgia Cooperative Extension Service as Senior Public Service Associate.

Marilyn received many awards during her career including the National Distinguished Service Award from the National Association of Extension 4-H Agents and the National Association of Family and Consumer Sciences, plus Statewide Winner of the William H. Booth Award. In 2018, she was honored to be one of the 100 Centennial Honorees of the University of Georgia College of Family and Consumer Services at the 100 Year GALA and to be escorted by her two sons, Lee and Mark.

Marilyn was a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Athens, where she taught fifth grade Sunday School for many years. She was a member of Youth Leadership Athens Steering Committee and helped with this leadership program for over 1,500 Athens high school students over the last thirty years. She was a proud member of the Clarke Central Touchdown Club and the Clarke Central Dugout Club for several years.

Marilyn loved Athens. She enjoyed attending University of Georgia football and baseball games, plus tailgating with family and friends.

Marilyn was preceded in death by her loving parents, Roscoe LeCroy and Marguerite Maret LeCroy. She is survived by her husband, Michael Poole; and sons, Lee Poole and Mark Poole; one sister, Marie Garaventa (John) of Manchester, CT; two sisters-in-law, Gwen Conner of Greensboro, GA and Patti Swymer (Dee) of Eatonton, GA; aunts, Sue Maret of Lavonia, GA, Bette M. Cowles (Bob) of Marietta, GA, Jean L. Bailey of Toccoa, GA; uncle, Charles Maret (Sarah) of Dalton, GA; several nieces and nephews, Andrew Garaventa of Manchester, CT, Lauren Bastura (Craig) of Orlando, FL, Meredith Baldridge (Ed) of Brevard, NC, Chandler Conner of Bogart, GA, Clint Swymer of Eatonton, GA, Cory Swymer (Brantley) of Bishop, GA; plus many cousins.

Bernstein Funeral Home, 3195 Atlanta Highway, in Athens is in charge of arrangements.

Visitation will be from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m., on Thursday, Jan. 4, at Bernstein Funeral Home.

Funeral services will be held Friday, Jan. 5, at 2:00 p.m., at the First Presbyterian Church, 185 E. Hancock Avenue in Athens. A reception and visitation for family and friends will be held in the Church Fellowship Hall after the service.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Georgia 4-H Foundation, 306 Hoke Smith Annex, UGA, Athens, GA 30602 or to the First Presbyterian Church, P.O. Box 1592, Athens GA 30603 or to the American Cancer Society.