Laurie Patricia Poole, 58, of Nashville, Tenn., suddenly passed away on October 28, 2013. Her passion for art and its creation was a hallmark of her life and permeated all she did. Ms. Poole served as head of the art department at Nashville School of the Arts where she had a profound influence on her students and sponsored the National Art Honor Society. Prior to joining NSA, she taught at the School of Discovery in Selma and Internationale Schule Hamburg, Germany. While at NSA, Poole gained a reputation for encouraging her students to strive for the best in their work. She co-curated student exhibitions at the Country Music Hall of Fame, the Oasis Center and the Green Hills Library. Her students’ art has lined the hall of The Frist Museum. Laurie was a world traveler and traveled often to her beloved Paris. Travels included Russia, Tibet and myriad exotic destinations. Laurie began her college career at the University of Alabama and received her BA in Art from Lipscomb University and an MA in Art Education from Alabama A&M. Further education includes the School of Visual Arts in Urbino, Italy and O’More College of Art. Her work has been shown in Norway, Germany, TPAC and numerous galleries throughout the United States. Laurie worked in New York for MTV, The Movie Channel and Interview Magazine where she worked with Andy Warhol. Laurie was devoted to her family and friends, and Alabama football. She is survived by her parents, Alfred and Patricia Poole of Nashville and Decatur; sister, Melisa Currey and nieces, Sarah and Ellen Currey in addition to many relatives and friends who will miss her dearly. A Celebration of Life Service will be conducted 4 p.m. Monday, November 4, 2013, at Hillsboro Church of Christ with visitation to follow immediately after the service. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Currey Fund at the Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee, 3833 Cleghorn Avenue, Suite 400, Nashville, TN 37215. WILLIAMSON MEMORIAL FUNERAL HOME, 615-794-2289.
