Betty Joyce Pool

BETTY “JOYCE” POOL was born in Smithland, Kentucky on June 29, 1935 to Zed and Mary Mitchell who precede her in death. Her sisters, Evelyn (Red) Corter and May Evitts, along with their husbands, also preceded her. Born and raised in Paducah, Kentucky, she met and married the love of her life John Pool, her partner for almost 65 years. They were married at the 12th Street Baptist Church in Paducah. Joyce was only 17 and John was 18; Joyce finished high school as a married woman. John always said he bought her books and sent her off to school.

Joyce spent her twenties and thirties raising her family, and supporting John as he attended seminary, completed his vicarage and then later accepted assignments as new young pastor. John’s early years as a seminarian and pastor led to multiple moves throughout the Midwest. Life was challenging for Joyce as she raised the children, while John attended school and worked multiple jobs. In addition, she attended to the many duties that come along with being a pastor’s wife. Joyce was John’s partner in their 20-year ministry at Cheney Lake, as well as always active as church pianist, choir member, LWML member, and Sunday school teacher.

When John received the call to Altus, they did not know there was an Altus, Oklahoma. John was supposed stop to visit the interim pastor in Granite, OK while en route to Altus. The temperature was 100˚+ and baby Johanna cried for the entire drive. When the interim pastor no-showed for their meeting, Joyce was not impressed. She told John that if Altus wasn’t any better than Granite, she was going home to Kentucky. Day two in Altus: a tornado hit. Joyce’s opinion about being in Altus was only solidified. Despite her initial trepidation, she exceled in her new role.

Joyce and John provided a great example for their four children, Mike, Jim, Johanna and Mark and their grandchildren; Abby Ponder Mitchell (Ryan), Lindy (William) Horton, April (Jeff) Parker, Brit, Geoff (Reagan), Katie, Lauren and Logan Pool, as well as their nine great-grandchildren. She was a fun and loving grandmother and great-grandmother, and always an avid supporter of their various sports and activities. Joyce was tough and strong woman with a wicked sense of humor and undying devotion to her family. In addition to her more traditional roles as pastor’s wife, she taught her kids to throw a baseball, coached youth bowling, and attended thousands of baseball games. A mean softball player herself, Joyce played for the Kennedy Funeral Home Kids, as a teenager. As late as last week, she could be found cheering for son Mark’s team at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium. Ever the doting grandma, Joyce was happy to attend concerts, piano and dance recitals, basketball and soccer games, bowling tournaments, cheer competitions and just about any activity that involved her children or grandchildren. However, most importantly, she and John provided a great example of true love and devotion to one another. Joyce was entirely devoted to John, her “poopsie,” and he to her.

Joyce was a strong woman. With a brand-new toolbox, she went to work at Cessna for the last twenty or so years of her working life. Her job at Cessna helped pay for the many expenses of four teenage children. She was respected; workers around her loved her and were just a little afraid of her wrath! She sang in the Cessna employees’ choral group, the “Excitations” and belonged to the West Side Lions Club. Although tough, she was a pushover for her grandkids. She was a great southern cook with her green beans, tomato and mac, brisket, deviled eggs and chocolate sheet cake, served up any time one of the grandkids requested them. She had a great sense of humor, loved the holidays, going to dinner with friends and family, playing cards, travel (Hawaii was her favorite destination), taking cruises and in her later years, watching westerns -- especially those featuring John Wayne. Joyce never met a margarita she didn’t like and it was always “5 o’clock somewhere”. Trips to the casino were also great fun for Joyce. Playing the slots was a passion, even as her health changed and John dutifully escorted her in her wheelchair.

Always a shopper, she rivaled Imelda Marcos for her love of shoes (followed closely by purses and jewelry). Her pride and joy was her convertible Mustang. Despite her considerable loss of eyesight, she was determined to drive again. While it was definitely one of her worst ideas, she never gave up on the dream. In fact, the day before she went to the hospital, she said she wanted to drive her car!

We mourn the passing of this woman of God a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother and friend. We are thankful and grateful for her godly example and we are better because of her love. Words cannot express how much she meant to us. Joyce taught us to live life to its fullest and to love unconditionally. That is the measure of a life well lived. If you would like to otherwise remember Joyce, please consider a memorial contribution to Ascension Lutheran Church 842 N Tyler Rd, Wichita, KS 67212 or to Harry Hynes Memorial Hospice, 313 S Market, Wichita, KS 67202.