Mrs. Bessie Frances (Raybon) Poole, age 101, passed away peacefully surrounded by her family at her home in Columbus, Georgia, and went to be with the Lord on September 2nd, 2021. She was born February 10th, 1920, in Brantley, Alabama, to William Byrd and Lula Alice Raybon.
Her funeral service will be held Tuesday, September 7th at Second Baptist Church with visitation at 1:00 p.m. and the celebration service at 2:00 p.m. with Pastor Mike Reeves (Ret.) officiating. Interment will take place at Riverdale Cemetery according to Striffler-Hamby Mortuary.
Bessie met the love of her life, Johnnie Poole, after they were introduced by her mother. They eloped in 1940 and were married 24 years before his untimely death. Together they raised three children. Upon her husband’s death, she courageously took over Poole’s Produce (Farmer’s Market) and worked extremely hard and successfully at a time when most women did not often work outside of the home. Throughout the years she had many young workers at Poole’s Produce, to include her children, who came back to thank her for the work ethic she instilled in them. Whether it was unloading watermelon trucks, setting up and selling Christmas trees, shucking corn, sweeping floors, or shelling peas and butterbeans, she always expected the best of everyone.
She spent her adult years with her three children, Johnnie Kenny Poole, Patricia Poole Pfeiffer, and David Randy Poole whom she loved caringly and unconditionally, and this love will always be remembered.
Having been a member of Second Baptist church for 81 years where she taught Sunday School, Bessie was their oldest and longest member. She enjoyed writing cards and notes to friends using her beautiful penmanship which she continued to do until a few days before passing. She touched many with kindness during her long life with her genuine hospitality, playful sense of humor, and her steadfast belief that better things are usually just around the corner.
Bessie graduated from Opp High School in Opp, Alabama, and shortly thereafter moved with her family to Columbus to work in the cotton mills. She was the youngest of eight siblings in her family and the last survivor. Her favorite Bible chapter was John 14 – “I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.” Her family takes great comfort that she is now in the loving arms of the Lord and reunited with the love of her life. Bessie lived a full adventurous life and travelled to over seventeen countries during the years, her most favorite place being the Holy Land.
She is predeceased by her loving husband, parents and seven siblings, Clyde Raybon, Jessie Carr, Cumi Massey, Marvin Raybon, Jewel Long, Ceal Raybon and Houston Raybon; and son-in-law Bernard Pfeiffer. Bessie has five grandchildren: Jessica Paige Bebenroth (Brad) of Fairfax, California, Jonathan David Pfeiffer (Amanda) of Columbus, Georgia, Joshua Bradley Pfeiffer of Columbus, Georgia, Jennafer Lauren Pfeiffer of Atlanta, Georgia, and Elaine Poole of Lagrange, Georgia; five great grandchildren; one great great grandchild and many nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews. The family wants to thank all her church members whom she loved dearly for their numerous visits, gift bags, cards, Sunday School lessons, and phone calls. A very special thank you and much love goes to all the kind and patience caregivers who cared for her over the last four years.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.shcolumbus.com for the Poole family.
