Poole Funeral Home and Cremation Services
PHOTO BY J KING IMAGES
Serving and Giving Back to the Community
From left, Lou and Gerald Lee, Brian and Amy Poole and Pete Castello.
T
here aren’t many teens who discover their life’s true calling, and even fewer who realize their career is going to be in the funeral industry. But that’s how it happened for Brian Poole. At the suggestion of his father, the high school senior decided to try the funeral business. Wearing his best suit and holding his résumé, Brian visited each funeral home in his hometown of Dothan, Ala., looking for a job. He jumped in to
help during a particularly busy weekend at Byrd Funeral Home, passed a few trials by fire, and began his internship there. He managed to juggle work with a demanding school and sports schedule, often working until late in the evening on the weekends. “Serving families going through stressful and difficult times made a lasting impression on me as a teenager,” Brian said. “That is a time when families most need sincerity and compassion, and I felt
the need to be there to help.” After graduating from Gupton-Jones College of Funeral Services, Brian received a license to serve families in Alabama and Georgia, and became a fulltime employee of Byrd Funeral Home. In 1995, Byrd became one of 2,000 funeral homes purchased by Service Corporation International, and in 2011, Brian accepted the position of location manager of Woodstock Funeral Home in Woodstock. Brian and his wife Amy, with daughters Olivia and Ava (now 9 and 6), made the move to Georgia. Brian describes himself as a people person who enjoys being active in the community. He had lived in Cherokee County for only one year when he ran for a county commission seat. He spent hours knocking on doors and meeting new people, a part of the election process that he really enjoyed. His hard work paid off; he won with a majority of the vote. “Because I was the new guy in town, I never dreamed I would be elected,” Brian said. “I am grateful for every minute I have served and I am proud of the progress we made.” His time on the commission will end Dec. 31, , when he’ll devote his full attention to Poole Funeral Home and Cremation Services, which opened June
PHOTO BY J KING IMAGES
1970 Eagle Drive, Woodstock 30189 678-932-2097 www.poolefuneralhome.net www.facebook.com/PooleFuneralHome
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AROUND ACWORTH | September 2016
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