Kalas Funeral Home & Crematory

Elizabeth “Betty” Madelene Poole went home to be with the Lord on Monday, May 26, 2025. Born on June 26, 1934 in Washington, DC to the late Howard A. and Elizabeth M. Stoffl Vermillion, Betty met her husband, Thurston, through a co-worker at Western Electric and they were married on June 26, 1958. Together, they raised their family in District Heights, MD where they lived on Kipling Parkway for 33 years. They were parishioners of Mt. Calvary Catholic Church, where their children went to elementary school. The boys then attended Bishop McNamara High School and Susan attended St. Patrick’s High School in Washington, DC.

After Thurston’s retirement in 1990, they moved over the Bay Bridge to Kent Island Estates where they attended St. Christopher’s Catholic Church in Chester and were very active in the parish. A woman of deep faith, Betty was a devoted member of the Catholic Church, and her spiritual life was a cornerstone of her identity and brought her great comfort throughout the years.

Betty enjoyed being a mother and raising her children and taking them wherever she went. She would often take the children to spend time at her family’s restaurant, the Oakland Inn, on Marlboro Pike in District Heights. The Oakland Inn was a place of fond memories for the family where they celebrated everything from birthdays to First Holy Communions to graduations. Over the years, Betty and her children also worked at the Oakland Inn from time to time.

In addition to her parents, Betty was preceded in death by her devoted husband of 52 years, Thurston E. Poole, Sr. and her loving sister, Jacqueline M. Hanson.

Betty is survived by her loving children, Thurston E. (Jill) Poole, Jr., Robert H. (Jeanne) Poole, James H. (Timothy) Poole, Susan E. (Gene) Killian, Richard M. (Carla) Poole and Mark C. (Nicole) Poole; her 15 grandchildren: Thurston’s children Shawn and Kathryn Poole and Jessica Akers; Robert’s children Madeline, Hannah and Sophie Poole; Susan’s children Nickolas Poole, Erik Killian; Richard’s children, Ava, Ethan, Gabriella, Mia, and Jacob Poole; Mark’s children Abigail and Violet Poole and 6 great grandchildren, Nickolas and Ashleigh Poole’s children, Grayson, Dalton and Stetson Poole. Jessica and Matt Akers’ children Aarica McMillan, Lillie and Alyvia Akers and 1 great-great grandchild, Aarica and Nicky McMillan’s child, Rush McMillan. Their lives are a testament to her enduring love and guidance. 

Mass of Christian Burial will be offered on Tuesday, June 10 at 10:30AM at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, 109 Duke of Gloucester St. Annapolis, MD. Interment will follow at 1:00 pm at the Maryland Veterans Cemetery, 1122 Sunrise Beach Rd in Crownsville MD.

The family kindly requests that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Little Sisters of the Poor St. Martin’s Home, 601 Maiden Choice Lane, Baltimore MD 21228.
www.littlesistersofthepoorbaltimore.org/donate/

May Betty’s memory bring comfort to those who knew her and serve as a lasting reminder of a life well lived.

Condolences may be made by using the Memories link on this page.

Elizabeth Madelene Poole

Elizabeth Madelene Poole

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