Rev. Walter Eugene “Gene” Poole, III
Rev. Walter Eugene “Gene” Poole, III, age 76, of Demorest, GA passed away Thursday, April 2, 2026 at Harris Regional Hospital in Sylva, NC.
Born July 5, 1949 in Elberton, GA, he was the son of the late Rev. Walter E. Poole, Jr. and Thelma Nash Poole.
In 1976, Gene graduated with the first class from Emmanuel College and The School of Christian Ministries in Franklin Springs, GA, with a BS in Religion. He also attended Toccoa Falls Bible College in Toccoa Falls, GA, for an additional year of comparative studies in Eschatology.
Gene and Anita Grace Purdy were married on October 9, 1980, at the Toccoa Pentecostal Holiness Church. He and Anita went on to pastor Pentecostal Holiness churches in Reidsville, GA, Daytona Beach, FL, and Calhoun Falls, SC. They also took an interim pastorate of an Assemblies of God church in Toccoa, GA.
The Lord graciously blessed Gene & Anita with 45 1/2 years of a wonderful loving marriage! Together they enjoyed some travels to Northern CA, Washington, DC, Williamsburg, VA, St. Augustine, FL, Oklahoma City, OK, Cincinnati, OH, and many trips to the mountains of NC and Tennessee, but especially several trips to Gatlinburg, TN, their honeymoon town!
Some of Gene’s favorite activities included golfing and fishing, jogging, creating beautiful art and jewelry, working with wood, and writing amazing poetry. He also co-authored several original songs with his wife Anita, and they enjoyed singing together!
Gene was known for his quick wit and dry humor, and many people still quote his unique sayings to this day! He preached the Word of God faithfully, and without fear, and was bold in his witness for Christ, always telling everyone about Jesus! As an under-shepherd of God’s flock, he served the people with great love and compassion!
Rev. Poole was a retired pastor for the International Pentecostal Holiness Church. He was also a United States Army Veteran, serving in Vietnam from 1969 – 1971 as an Army Artilleryman. He is a Purple Heart recipient.
Family members include his wife, Anita Grace Purdy Poole of Demorest, GA, formerly of Toccoa; brother, Mike Poole (Tina), of Elberton, GA; brother-in-law, Daniel Purdy (Becky); nephews, Ethan Poole (Sara), Patrick Terrell (Jolene) and Sam Purdy (Jackie); nieces, Ashley Terrell and Kaitlyn Pfeiffer (Josh); great-nephews, Walter Truett Poole, Owen Pfeiffer and Sawyer Purdy; and great-nieces, Scarlett Purdy and Olivia Pfeiffer.
The family will receive friends at the mortuary from 12:30 pm until the service hour Saturday, April 18, 2026.
Funeral services will be held at two o’clock Saturday, April 18, 2026 from the Chapel of Whitlock Mortuary with Dr. Doug Beacham, the Rev. Jerry Rylee, and the Rev. Wayne Butler officiating.
Burial will follow at Roselane Cemetery.
Military honors will be provided by Grant-Reeves Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 7720.
Grant-Reeves Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 7720 will serve as pallbearers. Mike Poole, Patrick Terrell, Ethan Poole, Danny Purdy, Tommy Collins, Jeff Poole and Sam Purdy will serve as honorary pallbearers.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the International Fellowship of Christians and Jews (IFCJ) at www.help.ifcj.org/donate or to Operation Blessing with CBN (Christian Broadcasting Network) at www.ob.org.
Please keep the family in your thoughts and prayers and sign the online guestbook at www.whitlockmortuary.net.
Whitlock Mortuary, Funerals and Cremations is honored to be serving the family of Rev. Walter Eugene “Gene” Poole, III.