Styne G. Poole

Styne Gregory Poole, also known as Stan and Mr. P, was born on February 28, 1960 in Woodruff, South Carolina to the late Maudie Pearl Poole (Peake) and the late Henry Stephens. He grew up in South Carolina with his five siblings until, as a teenager, he moved to Washington, DC, where he was reared and nurtured in the home of his late aunt and uncle Liz and Willie Richardson with his first cousins Willie “Ray” and Fredia. He graduated from Bladensburg High School in 1979. Styne gave his life to the Lord early on and used his musical gifts to serve three local churches. He joined Isle of Patmos Baptist Church in 1977 where he sang with the Rogerlettes and the Intermediates Choral Ensemble (RICE). He started out singing tenor with the J.M. Woody Chorale Ensemble and later became their drummer. After losing his mom at an early age, the Lord sent a special woman to Styne, the late Mother Gloria Moore, who became Styne’s chosen mother. Their bond was tender and unbreakable, gentle and strong, soft and loud all at the same time. She was his calm in a storm, a guiding light, his prayer warrior; blood could not have made them any closer. In 1986 and 1988, Styne had two children, Justin Styne Poole and DeStyne Courtney Poole with his first wife, the late Sharon Keith Poole. His relationship with his sons is marked by passion and love. In 1996 Styne joined Shiloh Abundant Life Center where he enjoyed singing and playing the drums. On August 26, 2007, Styne joined The New Macedonia Baptist Church (TNMBC), which would be his church home until the Lord called him to his eternal home. Styne was a member of the Men’s Choir and the Pastor’s Aide Ministry of TNMBC. Styne’s work life was a reflection of his heart for people and for serving God in everything he did. Whether caring for buildings and grounds while working as building superintendent at Hughes Neighborhood Housing or providing dignity to people with disabilities by attending to their daily caregiving needs and assisting them to build their own capacity to perform their daily routines at St. John’s Community Services in Washington, DC. Styne’s disposition for love and care was felt by everyone in all aspects of his life. Styne met his loving wife, Marsha Mills-Poole, in 2010 and they married July 25, 2012. Styne loved being a family with Marsha and his bonus son Charles Willis, Jr. aka C.J., who Styne made very clear was also his son. Styne loved to sing, as anyone who has ever met him surely knows. He sang with many groups in the DMV area, including Robert L. Curtis and Commitment and The Heavenly Echos - a local quartet group, and played drums for many local churches. Above all, Styne loved spending time with his blood family and his extended chosen family, between which he made little distinction. His favorite pastimes were by far going out to eat, traveling, vacationing with his wife, playing cards, and being on the go. Styne loved fashion–dressing well and smelling good was his claim to fame. And in doing any of his favorite activities, Styne never met a stranger. He loved talking to anyone he met and he had an incredible way of making anyone he met feel special. Styne is preceded in death by his parents, Maudie Pearl Poole and Henry Stephens; and his siblings Harold Poole, Roger Poole, Mary Vernelle Poole Smith, Annie Pearl Pearson, Pea Stephens and Sharleane Gholston. Left to cherish joyful memories are his loving wife Marsha; sons Justin Poole, DeStyne Poole, and Charles Willis, Jr.; daughter Kyla Jackson; brother Clarence Floyd; granddaughters, Zaria and Juanita; sister Kimberley Arrington; uncle Calvin Peake; parents-in-law Keith and Bonnie Mills; brothers-in-law James Smith, James Gholston, and Keith Mills, Jr. (Odessa); and a multitude of nieces, nephews, cousins, great-nieces and great-nephews.

Tributes

Styne G. Poole

February 28, 1960 - October 4, 2023