Obituary for Annie Ruth Kennedy Poole
On Sunday, February 12, 2023, God made the divine decision to transition His faithful servant Mrs. Annie Ruth Kennedy Poole from labor to reward. A native of Mobile, Alabama born on October 26, 1942, to the union of the late John H. Kennedy and Ora Lee Kennedy-Kyser. Annie Ruth is preceded in death by six siblings: Jessie Kennedy, George Kennedy, Morris Kennedy, Johnnie Mae Jemison, Gloria Jean Kennedy, and Brenda Marie July.
Annie Ruth graduated from Mattie T. Blount High School at the age of 16 in the class of 1961. After graduation, she left Mobile and relocated to Manhattan, New York for 15 years. During this time, she matriculated to a business course at the Brandis School of Office Management in 1962. Shortly after completion of the course, she was employed by the law firm of MCA University Picture for 5 years. Annie’s love of fashion and design lead her to study at the Cadillac Modeling Studio where she professionally modeled from 1963 to 1964. In 1967, Annie Ruth decided it was time to make a lateral move and worked for the law firm of Goldfarb, Powell, and Quinn as an Office Manager until she relocated back to Mobile, Alabama in 1975.
Upon returning to Mobile Annie Ruth took a course in welding at Ingalls Shipyard in Pascagoula, Mississippi where she worked for many years. It was at Ingalls Shipyard where she met the “Love of her life” Mr. Billy Ray Poole who became a very devoted husband. Later she attended the University of South Alabama where she received a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology in Health Care Services for the Elderly. After graduation, she became a supervisor with the Mobile Mental Health Center for 15 years until her retirement in 2005.
Annie Ruth was a multi-talented and accomplish individual. In addition to holding a full-time job, she was devoted to the care and nurturing of youth in her community. She was the pageant coordinator for the Miss Northside Pageant of Mobile, Alabama where she annually rewarded scholarships to youth for which she herself received many awards. During this time, she taught high school students both male and female modeling techniques, skills, proper etiquette, talent enhancement, and proper attire for different events as well as inspiring many of the youth she interacted with to pursue higher education.
Annie Ruth was a woman of great faith. She joined Second Baptist under the leadership of the late Reverend Henry Reese. There she served as a leader of the Sunday School Department, a member of the Pastor’s Aide Board, and served on the Trustee Board for many years. Later she joined The New Liberty Baptist Church under the late Reverend Cleopha Pair. She remained an active faithful member under the leadership of Pastor Fredrick Watson until her health failed.
She leaves to cherish her devoted husband Billy Ray Poole of 28 years. One devoted daughter, Karen Bell(Everton, deceased) of Stockbridge, GA; one stepdaughter, Cassandra Leverette of Moss Point, MS; four grandchildren, Tireje Ballard (Julian) of McDonough, GA; Demi Jackson of Stockbridge, GA; Jameriah Bell of Stockbridge, GA; Jaylen Leverette of Miramar, FL; and two great-grandsons, Julian and Tristan Ballard of McDonough, GA; whom she cherished very much. One god-daughter, LaQuanJoyner (Demetrius) of Birmingham, AL. Five siblings, Willie Kennedy (Leicha) of Manhattan, KS; Newton Kennedy (Mary, deceased) of Mobile, AL; Rosetta Dunson (Rev. Jimmy) of Milwaukee, WI; Angela Edwards (Clifford) of Mobile, AL; and one devoted sister and caregiver Loletha Reeves (Arthur, deceased)of Mobile, AL., a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives, and four devoted friends, Paulette Horton, Sister Patricia Roland, Sister Daisy Pruitt and First Lady Clara Reese of Mobile, Alabama.
Annie Ruth graduated from Mattie T. Blount High School at the age of 16 in the class of 1961. After graduation, she left Mobile and relocated to Manhattan, New York for 15 years. During this time, she matriculated to a business course at the Brandis School of Office Management in 1962. Shortly after completion of the course, she was employed by the law firm of MCA University Picture for 5 years. Annie’s love of fashion and design lead her to study at the Cadillac Modeling Studio where she professionally modeled from 1963 to 1964. In 1967, Annie Ruth decided it was time to make a lateral move and worked for the law firm of Goldfarb, Powell, and Quinn as an Office Manager until she relocated back to Mobile, Alabama in 1975.
Upon returning to Mobile Annie Ruth took a course in welding at Ingalls Shipyard in Pascagoula, Mississippi where she worked for many years. It was at Ingalls Shipyard where she met the “Love of her life” Mr. Billy Ray Poole who became a very devoted husband. Later she attended the University of South Alabama where she received a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology in Health Care Services for the Elderly. After graduation, she became a supervisor with the Mobile Mental Health Center for 15 years until her retirement in 2005.
Annie Ruth was a multi-talented and accomplish individual. In addition to holding a full-time job, she was devoted to the care and nurturing of youth in her community. She was the pageant coordinator for the Miss Northside Pageant of Mobile, Alabama where she annually rewarded scholarships to youth for which she herself received many awards. During this time, she taught high school students both male and female modeling techniques, skills, proper etiquette, talent enhancement, and proper attire for different events as well as inspiring many of the youth she interacted with to pursue higher education.
Annie Ruth was a woman of great faith. She joined Second Baptist under the leadership of the late Reverend Henry Reese. There she served as a leader of the Sunday School Department, a member of the Pastor’s Aide Board, and served on the Trustee Board for many years. Later she joined The New Liberty Baptist Church under the late Reverend Cleopha Pair. She remained an active faithful member under the leadership of Pastor Fredrick Watson until her health failed.
She leaves to cherish her devoted husband Billy Ray Poole of 28 years. One devoted daughter, Karen Bell(Everton, deceased) of Stockbridge, GA; one stepdaughter, Cassandra Leverette of Moss Point, MS; four grandchildren, Tireje Ballard (Julian) of McDonough, GA; Demi Jackson of Stockbridge, GA; Jameriah Bell of Stockbridge, GA; Jaylen Leverette of Miramar, FL; and two great-grandsons, Julian and Tristan Ballard of McDonough, GA; whom she cherished very much. One god-daughter, LaQuanJoyner (Demetrius) of Birmingham, AL. Five siblings, Willie Kennedy (Leicha) of Manhattan, KS; Newton Kennedy (Mary, deceased) of Mobile, AL; Rosetta Dunson (Rev. Jimmy) of Milwaukee, WI; Angela Edwards (Clifford) of Mobile, AL; and one devoted sister and caregiver Loletha Reeves (Arthur, deceased)of Mobile, AL., a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives, and four devoted friends, Paulette Horton, Sister Patricia Roland, Sister Daisy Pruitt and First Lady Clara Reese of Mobile, Alabama.