AVA M. POOLE

WICHITA, Kansas – Ava M. Poole died October 23, 2016, in Wichita, Kansas. Ava was born November 4, 1919, and led a long, happy life as wife, mother, grandmother, great- and great-great-grandmother. Her parents were William and Stella Lambert of Hopeton, Oklahoma.

Ava was educated in a one-room country school where eight grades were taught. (Years later, both of her children attended the same school.) She attended high school and college at Northwestern State College in Alva, Oklahoma. She met her future husband, Ray F. Poole, and was married December 5, 1937, for 57 years. They raised two children on the family farm.

Ava worked for Boeing and later at the American Red Cross. Her hobbies included shell crafts, music, traveling, reading, knitting, writing, square dancing, crossword puzzles and picture albums. When Ray, her husband, retired, they bought a 32-foot Jayco trailer and started traveling, spending eight winters in Florida on Sanibel Island. They traveled extensively from Vancouver, Canada, to their favorite place in Florida.

They were blessed with three children. The first child, who died at birth; Beverly Kastens, who taught gifted children at Goddard; son Douglas Poole, who retired from Andritz KMPT Inc., Florence, Kentucky.

Survivors include children Beverly (Gary) Kastens and Douglas (Wanda) Poole; grandchildren Kelly Waters, Cyndi Miller, Terrie (Kent) Applewhite and Ray E. (Kim) Poole; great-grandchildren Ashley, Tiffany, Zach, Sarah (Ryan), Rachel (Jared), Melissa (Marcus), James (Sarah), and Jason (family). Ava is survived by many nieces, nephews, great and great-great-grandchildren.

She lived at Presbyterian Manor for four-and-a-half years. Then she moved to Via Christi Cornerstone for three years.

Preceding Ava in death were her parents, Stella and William Lambert; two sisters, Fern Lambert Nusz (Jake), Alfreda Lambert Vail (Clem); and brother, Clifford (Lorena) Lambert.

Funeral service will be at 9 a.m., Friday, October 28, 2016, at Downing & Lahey Mortuary West, 10515 W. Maple in Wichita, Kansas, followed by a graveside service at 3 p.m. in Alva Municipal Cemetery.

Memorial established with Central Community Church, 6100 W. Maple, Wichita, KS 67209.

Ava will be missed by friends and family for her dedication to all who knew her. She has gone home to be with all she knew and loved. Rest in peace. Online tributes to the family via http://www.dlwichita.com.