Wm. Cornell Poole Sr., a hard worker

WILLIAM Cornell Poole Sr. knew the meaning of hard work.

He grew up on a farm in North Carolina where his parents were sharecroppers. He had to drop out of school to work full-time on the farm in Person County, N.C., after his father was injured.

When he got to Philadelphia, he went into construction work and became a cement mason. More hard work.

There are those who say that having nine children is not easy either, and Cornell, as he was known, probably would have agreed. But because he cherished his family and because he stressed the value of education, all of his children went to college.

He died Thursday of lung cancer. He was six days from his 76th birthday. He lived in South Philadelphia.

Cornell was born in Durham, N.C., the first of the six children of Sam Poole and Mary Springfield Poole. He became a member of the Mill Hill Baptist Church in Roxboro, N.C., and maintained his membership there even after moving to Philadelphia.

"That was where his heart was," said his daughter Sharon Anderson.

He would return to the church during his frequent visits back home, where a happy crowd of relatives would gather for family reunions.

While still in the South, Cornell married Sarah B. Barnette on Christmas Eve 1953. In the late '50s, they moved to Philadelphia.

He went to work for the construction firm of Acchione & Canuso, then was employed by Tony DePaul, cement mason. He retired in 1992.

"Our dad was known as the family historian and loved to tell stories about his childhood and our relatives," his daughter said. "He always remembered the smallest details and never forgot a birthday or anniversary."

That was quite a feat for a man who had nine children, 19 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

He started a $5 birthday club for each child.

"He always made sure each child felt special on their birthday," Sharon said. "Dad was a taxi for many and generous with giving love, gifts, advice and personal time.

"He assisted his children during their college years, as well as many other relatives. He was a hard worker, awesome provider, loving dad and friend."

Cornell always put others, especially family, ahead of himself. "He was concerned about other's needs rather than his own," his daughter said.

He enjoyed gospel music and liked to belt out his favorite gospel song, "O Mary Don't You Weep."

If I could I surely would stand on the rock where Moses stood.

Pharoh's army got drowned. O Mary don't you weep.

Cornell was an old-fashioned guy who paid for everything with cash. No credit cards for him. And he taught his children the old-fashioned virtues, like never be late for work, study hard and "do what you're supposed to do," Sharon said.

His favorite cautionary phrase was, "Be careful and keep watch."

His wife died in 2005. Besides his daughter and his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, he is survived by two other daughters, Sarah LaVerne Howard and Stacey Turner; six sons, William Jr., Charles Sr., Johnnie Sr., Warren, Samuel and Jeffery; and three sisters, John Ester, Tina and Wanda.

Services: 2 p.m. Thursday at the Mill Hill Baptist Church, 1635 Mill Hill Road, Roxboro, N.C. A viewing will be held in Philadelphia at 7 this evening at Slater Funeral Home, 1426 Fitzwater St. *