Shirley R. Poole

Shirley Ruth Poole, age 90 years, a resident of Vienna, Illinois, passed away Friday afternoon, April 18, 2025, at 2:27 P.M. at Hillview Senior Living & Rehabilitation in Vienna. On July 19, 1934, Shirley was born at the family farm in Mill Creek, Illinois. She was the third of four children born to Glenn E. and Lois Ina (Lingle) Mowery. Shirley graduated from Anna-Jonesboro grade school and high school. Shirley was formerly married to Homer Wilson Poole on January 2, 1954 at the Mill Creek Lutheran Church. They lived in Granite City, Illinois where Homer worked in the Steel Mill. Homer joined the Illinois State Police in 1957 and they moved to Macomb, Illinois. They returned to Southern Illinois in late 1958 settling in Vienna to raise their family and make a home. Shirley was a devoted homemaker who lovingly raised her three children. She had a remarkable talent for sewing and often handmade dresses for her daughters and family members, including prom, bridal, and bridesmaids’ gowns. Aa a gifted seamstress, she also enjoyed quilting and embroidery. In addition to her sewing, Shirley operated a successful home-based cake business for many years, known for her beautifully decorated cakes made for birthdays, anniversaries, weddings, and other special occasions. When the children were all in school, Shirley began working at the Vienna Variety Store on the square with Melba Taylor for several years. She, then, went to work for Lauderdale Florist on the square in Vienna and when they closed the Vienna store, she worked in their store in Metropolis. She returned to Vienna to work at the Piggly Wiggly Grocery Store, which she truly enjoyed because she could see so many of her friends when they shopped. Later, she worked for Kathy and Dean Harper at This N’ That Flower Shop in Vienna, where she was a mainstay for many years until her retirement. While in her retirement, her son, Dale, and his better half, Jani Jones, started a memorial flower business selling floral arrangements for Memorial Day and other occasions as requested by customers. Shirley was known for her beautiful hanging baskets, saddles and cones. Shirley made the arrangements until her health deteriorated to the point that she was no longer able to. Throughout the years, she also made cemetery arrangements for her entire family for the different seasons. She genuinely enjoyed making them. One of Shirley’s older sisters, Hazel, and her husband, Gibb, always had a travel trailer and took Shirley with them on many occasions. The Smokey Mountains and Alaska were two of her most memorable trips. They took one month to travel to Anchorage, stayed one month and then took one month to travel home. They saw many amazing and beautiful sights on this journey. Shirley was blessed to be able to live on her own up until the last few years when she resided at Hillview Health Care Center in Vienna. Ironically, Hillview was only a stone’s throw away from the small house they lived in for many years. Shirley was a devoted fan of the St. Louis Cardinals and cheered on her team with pride throughout the years. She also found simple joy in nature — especially in feeding and watching hummingbirds. Shirley is survived by: children – Cathy Akins, Sandra (Steve Dingrando) Jordan and Dale (Jani Jones) Poole all of Vienna; 3 grandchildren – Jason (Pam) Akins, Josh (Jessie) Akins and Matthew (Heather Brasher) Jordan; 5 great-grandchildren – Amity Akins, Logan (Destiny) Akins, Gavin Jordan, Kinley Jordan and Alaina Akins; 1 great-great grandson – Jaden Akins; a special honorary grandson – Charlie Hiatt; a dear lifelong friend – Doris Throgmorton; as well as nieces, nephews, cousins and many friends. In addition to her parents and former husband, Shirley is preceded in death by: 2 sisters – Hazel M. DeWitt and Elois Mowery; a brother – Caroll W. Mowery; and a son-in-law- Jerry Akins. A funeral service honoring the life of Shirley Poole will be held Wednesday, April 23, 2025 at 12:30 P.M. at Bailey Funeral Home in Vienna. Pastor Billy Thomas will officiate. Interment will be at the St. John’s Cemetery in Dongola, Illinois. There will be a time of visitation beginning at 11:30 A.M. and continuing until the funeral hour of 12:30 P.M. on Wednesday, April 23, 2025 at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to St. John’s Cemetery c/o John Mowery, 880 Sweet Potato Road, Dongola, IL 62926. To share a memory or leave an online message of condolence for the family, please visit www.baileyfh.com. Arrangements have been entrusted to Bailey Funeral Home in Vienna.

Shirley R. Poole

July 19, 1934 - April 18, 2025