Mary Barbara Poole

Funeral services for Mary Barbara Smith Poole will be held at 11:30 AM, April 3, 2026 at New Ouachita Baptist Church in Enterprise, Louisiana with Bro. Jeff Robinson officiating and interment following in Rosefield Cemetery under the direction of Riser Funeral Home. Mary was 88 years old when she passed from this life on March 30, 2026. She was born on August 3, 1937, in Cypress, Louisiana, to Elliott Claude Smith and Viola Witty Smith. 

Known as Barbara, she graduated from Acadian Baptist Academy. On December 24, 1957, she married the love of her life, Hershel McVay Poole, Sr., and together they shared 68 wonderful years of marriage. Their marriage was a shining example of true love and unwavering dedication, built on faith, mutual respect, kindness, and a lifetime of shared joys and challenges. She spent most of her life working as an accountant, lending her talents to many different employers. For years, she even traveled to nursing homes throughout Louisiana and across the United States, helping with financial matters. She was a devoted wife, cherished mother, beloved Mamaw, and loving great-grandmother who treasured her family. She also firmly believed that the major food groups were vanilla ice cream, animal crackers, and Diet Coke. She loved the Lord and she faithfully served him by teaching Sunday School and Vacation Bible School. Barbara wrote out each lesson, and will always be remembered for passing out Bible reminders. She was creative by nature and loved sewing, making candies, and crafting, bringing joy and beauty to everything she touched.

Barbara is preceded in death by her parents; her sister, Kitty Lou Smith and Margaret Jane Dixon; and her brother, Roy Elliott Smith. She is survived by her husband, Hershel McVay Poole Sr,; her brother, Richard Smith of Denham Springs, and her children, H.M. Poole, Jr. and wife, Angelica, of West Monroe, Kimberly Hayes of Newark, Texas, and Penny Warner and husband, Kyle, of Ruston, Louisiana. Grandchildren left to cherish her memory include James Rogers and wife, Mary, of Jones, Oklahoma; K.D. Witte of Edmond, Oklahoma; Khloie Hayes and Jonathan Hayes of Newark, Texas; Stephen Warner and wife, Mary Beth, of Vicksburg, Mississippi; Nathan Warner of Dallas, Texas; and Amelia Kate Ramsey and husband, Jonathan, of Shreveport, Louisiana. Great-grandchildren include Kaylee and Gabriel Witte, Sedona and Colton Rogers, Mary Claire and Lauren Kyle Warner, Caleb Ramsey, and Josie Ramsey, expected in June 2026.

Pallbearers will include Stephen Warner, Nathan Warner, James Rogers, Jacob Roark, Nathan Roark, and Kyle Warner. Honorary pallbearers are Jonathan Hayes and Jonathan Ramsey.

In Lieu of flowers, please make donations to St. Judes Children's Hospital or New Ouachita Baptist Church.