Carmen Pool's Obituary
On March 12th, 2018, Carmen Pool was received into the arms of Jesus after a brief battle with pancreatic cancer.Carmen was born Betty Carmen Altenburg in Henderson, Texas on January 28th, 1944 to George and Vermell Altenburg. She graduated from Henderson High School and later graduated from the University of Texas Southwestern Medical/Allied Health School.Carmen married Jim Pool in 1965 and together they lived in various cities in Texas and Louisiana and served both in work and local churches. Carmen retired from a career in banking in 2012, most recently serving as VP of Operations at Veritex Bank.Carmen was the life of any party and always brought a smile and a dash of bling and flair everywhere she went. Her passions included working with the elderly, shopping and dining with many dear friends and family, and traveling throughout the US and Canada with Jim. She had numerous “circles of friends” who enjoyed fellowship and friendship with her. These circles carried over from friends she met early in her marriage, her work, and church, recently included groups from FBC Richardson “Cliffhangers”, “Living Stones”, the “Fab Five” circle of friends from her banking life, Bible Study Fellowship and the B.A.G. Ladies Book Club as well as others. She freely spirited from group event to group event and always brought joy and humor to those groups. She was the “fun, crazy Aunt” to every one of her nieces and nephews, staying exceptionally current on the latest pop music and events, Zumba class and impressing everyone with her youthfulness and vigor. She loved great food, especially if she didn’t have to cook it, and was especially fond of sweets. Her lightheartedness and personality will be missed by many.Carmen is survived by her husband of 52 years, Jim Pool and their sweet baby girl Callie Leigh. She was preceded in death by her parents George and Vermell Altenburg, grandparents Lester and Lois Honeycutt and Ed and Stella Altenburg, uncle and aunt John and Mildred Hale, and uncle George Davis, and her sweet baby girl Lily Belle. She leaves behind two sisters, Georgann Turlington and husband Don, and Judy Henderson and husband Malcolm. She is survived by brothers and sisters in law Don and Shirley Pool, and David and Patsy Pool. Carmen is also survived by her aunt Betty Davis. Her nieces on the Pool side include Cynthia Pool, Sherri (Darrell) Melear, and Karen (Larry) Jacks. Her nieces and nephews on the Altenburg side include Melanie (Brent) Amundson, Amy (Sam) Chambers, Kyle (Young Hae) Turlington, and Matthew (Beth) Henderson. She was blessed with eleven great nieces and nephews and three great-great nieces and nephews.A celebration of life memorial service will be held on Thursday, March 15th at 2:00 p.m. at First Baptist Church of Richardson, TX, 1001 N. Central Expressway. Visitation for friends and family will be on Wednesday March 14thfrom 6:00-8:00 p.m. at Restland Funeral Home in Dallas.In lieu of flowers, Carmen has requested that donations be made to Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children in Dallas.
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