Ernest Alonzo Poole passed away at home on Oct 22, 2021 after living an extraordinary life that touched so many people.
Ernie’s life began on June 10, 1937 in Flint, AL born to Charles and Willie Poole. Ernie came into the world that was still suffering from the Great Depression and on the verge of WWII. These events would mold his experiences as a child and his actions as an adult. After the death of his father when he was two, his family got by with a deep determination and help from friends in their neighborhood.
When his Mom got sick, he became a caregiver to her until she passed away when he was 15. He once again endured because of his community and lived on his own until at age 17 when Ernie asked a local judge if he would sign off so he could join the military. The judge took an envelope and wrote on the back, “This boy has my permission to join the Air Force.”
After serving in the Armed Forces he returned to Alabama but decided to leave for an opportunity to learn morse code at a school in Iowa where he landed a job as a dispatcher for the Chicago Great Western Railroad. His talents were noticed and he was asked to come to work at Continental Grain as a grain trader. This started his career in the grain business where he would remain in different capacities until his retirement with Farmer’s Commodity Corporation.
Although he thought the weather was dreadful and food bland, he soon came to love Iowa and the people there. Ernie married Elaine Tweed and together they had three children—Nathan, Benjamin, and Melissa. Ernie and Elaine later divorced. Ernie survived cancer in his 50’s and after his remission, he met Ann through work and eventually asked her out. Ernie knew he met his life partner and shortly after they married. Together they continued to live life to the fullest through travel and friends.
Ernie was a man who was influenced by his mother who was progressive for her time that instilled in him the importance of education and the treatment of all people with respect and equality. Because he experienced hunger and poverty, he was integrated at a young age to understood the power of self-determination. Because he experienced hardship at a young age, he was kind and gracious to people who needed his help.
Although Ernie traveled far and wide he was most happy when he returned to his beloved Alabama.
Ernie is survived by his spouse of 25 years, Ann, his loyal dog Mattie, sons Nate (Shelly), Ben (Sherry), daughter Melissa (Todd) and stepson Rob. Rounding out the family are eleven grandchildren. He will be greatly missed.
