Rev. Darrell J. Poole, Sr.

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Rev. Darrell J. Poole, Sr., age 79 of North Wilkesboro passed away Thursday, October 23, 2025, at his home surrounded by his family. 

Funeral services will be held, 2:00 PM Tuesday, October 28, 2025, at Reins-Sturdivant Chapel with Rev. Tom Vannoy, Elder Jay Poole and Mr. Billy Pool officiating.  Burial will be in the Moravian Falls Community Cemetery.  The family will receive friends from 6:00 until 8:00 PM Monday evening at Reins-Sturdivant Funeral Home. 

Darrell was born May 5, 1946, in Wilkes County to Rev. Charles J. Pool and Cordia Mae Campbell Pool.   Darrell grew up in the 50’s and 60’s – The best time ever – he always said.  He loved old cars and loved to make them go fast.  Drag racing was the sport of his youth and he won several trophies.  Darrell loved The Lord’s beautiful earth and all the things in it – leaves and birds.  He loved to watch birds and always knew what kind it was, the same with trees.  He was a true family man.  Darrell loved to smile – he was a happy man and loved to see others smile.  You would not talk to him very long until you would be smiling and laughing.  He always said it took less energy to smile than it did to frown.  Darrell would say he always knew God called him to preach and at the age of 29 he surrendered to that call.  He sold his home and took his family and moved to Wake Forest, NC to attend Southeastern Seminary.  Before he graduated in 1976, he accepted his first church in Clover, VA.  His first Pastorate was a two church field, Rodgers Chapel and Ellis Creek Baptist. 

Darrell accepted this call with great anticipation, and he had a great ministry there, great people who loved him and his family like their own.  After six years, God called him to Edge Hill Baptist in Hurt, VA, a great church with wonderful people.  Six years later he was called to Mountain Creek in Rutherfordton, NC, putting his feet back on North Carolina soil.  It was a dream come true.  Our children were growing up and life was changing, but Darrell kept on smiling and preaching the word. Six years later, he was called to New Hope Church in Purlear in Wilkes County.  Happy and blessed to be home in Wilkes, we bought a home on Welcome Home Church Road.  He would say the sign says – Welcome Home – every time I go out and come back.  This was a long ministry, a wonderful time of Service to God – almost 14 years. Then Darrell accepted the call to Fishing Creek Baptist Church.  This was the church he grew up in.  His father had pastored there as well. He always wanted to do the right thing and serve God the best he could.  Darrell developed kidney cancer and retired in 2012, leaving Fishing Creek.  After surgery and time to heal, he wanted to preach again.  He preached a few Sundays at Wagoner Baptist Church in Jefferson, NC and they called him as Pastor, he served almost 10 years.  Declining health became an issue and he retired full time ministry.  Never losing his desire to preach, he accepted his life as it was.  If you knew Darrell you loved him and he loved you. 

Darrell also drove for WTA for 17 years.  He loved this work and thought it to be a ministry helping others to the doctors, etc.   He loved to have them ask him about Jesus.  He loved sharing the Gospel. 

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a great grandchild; Lawton Layne and two brothers; Lloyd Pool and Bruce Pool and beloved sister-in-law; Louise Poole.

He is survived by his wife; Rachel Tedder Poole of the home, a daughter; Tammy Conley and husband Gary of Statesville, two sons’ Jay Poole and wife Andrea of Rutherfordton, Tim Poole of North Wilkesboro, grandchildren; Eli Layne, Adam Layne, Matt Layne, Mason Poole, Keaton Poole, Jacob Poole, Jacalyn Poole, Alexandra Poole, great grandchildren; Kaiden Layne, Brooklyn Layne, Eileen Layne, Addison Layne, Mya Layne, Ava Layne and Eli Layne, Dawson Layne, Harrison Layne and two brothers; Arnold Poole of Wilkesboro and Billy Pool and wife Lori of Archdale. 

Flowers will be accepted, or memorials may be made to H.O.P.E. Ministries, 514 Elkin Highway, North Wilkesboro, NC 28659. 

Online condolences may be made to www.reinssturdivant.com.

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