Ralph Eugene Poole Sr., 87, of 504 River Drive, went home to be with the Lord on Thursday, at his residence.

Born in Gaffney, he was the son of the late Albert Poole and Fannie O w e n s b y Poole and husband of Elnita McCraw Poole of the home. He was retired from Burlington Industries and L. Hamrick's Inc. Mr. Poole was a veteran of World War II,

having served in the

Army Airborne Division. He was a Mason and a honorary lifetime deacon at Calvary Baptist Church.

In addition to his wife, also surviving are two sons, Ralph Eugene Poole Jr. and wife, Robbie, of Jonesville and Roger Poole, and wife, Gina, of Gaffney; three daughters, Teresa Bailey and husband, Keith, Cindy Watts and husband, Mike, all of Gaffney, and Kay Young and husband, John, of Shelby; a sister, Maggie McKinney of Gaffney; 14 grandchildren; and 16 greatgrandchildren.

In addition to his parents, Mr. Poole was preceded in death by a brother, Cole L. Poole, and a sister, Bertha Phaneuf.

The family will receive friends from 1-2 p.m. Saturday at Calvary Baptist Church. Funeral services will be at 2 p.m., immediately following visitation, conducted by the Revs. Terry Pleasant and Ron Jackson. Interment will be in Frederick Memorial Gardens.

Pallbearers will be Brian Bailey, Mike Watts, Mike McAbee, Holden Poole, Dean McKinney and Jason McCraw.

Honorary pallbearers will be members of the Men's Sunday School Class of Calvary Baptist Church, Chris Hughey, Greg Hughey, Dean Hughey, Bob Humphries and Phillip McCraw.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Calvary Baptist Church Building Fund, 2929 Cherokee Avenue, Gaffney, S.C. 29340.

The family will be at the residence.

An online guest register is available at www.blakelyfuneralhome. com

Arrangements by Blakely Funeral Home.