Centril Wendell Pool
Centril Wendell Pool, of Mexia, passed away at Providence Hospital in Waco on Monday, Dec. 16, 2024, at age 88.
Visitation will be held at the First Baptist Church in Mexia, beginning at 9 a.m., on Thursday, Dec. 19. Funeral services at the First Baptist Church, Mexia, will begin at 10 a.m. on Thursday, Dec. 19, with Reverend Marcus Sheffield, formerly of the First Baptist Church, and Pastor Robert Blackman officiating. Burial will be at 3:30 p.m. Thursday at Sunset Memorial Park Cemetery in Nacogdoches. Pallbearers will be his grandsons, Brandon Noble, Blayne Noble, Trevin Annett, Trenton Annett, and Cade Osbourn.
Honorary pallbearers will be friends who have preceded him in death: Jerry Pelham, Jack Stone, John Ahlfinger, Budge Kimbell; along with current friends, Ed Cox, Tom Thompson, Dennis Dornak, Roddy Sloan, Doug Prewitt, and Jack Leach, and members of Wendell’s Sunday School Class.
Wendell was born July 4, 1936, in Woodville, TX, to Centril W. Pool and Claudene C. Pool. He grew up in Nacogdoches and Groesbeck, where he graduated in the Groesbeck High School Class of 1954. He played trombone in the high school band, was a Groesbeck Goat football player, and participated in the Junior and Senior class plays. He also worked part-time as a “soda jerk” (along with Budge Kimball) which may be the reason for his life-long love of ice cream.
Wendell attended Baylor one year (with Budge as his roommate), and then transferred to Stephen F. Austin in Nacogdoches, where he earned a Bachelor of Business/Finance degree.
Wendell had joined the Army National Guard in High School, and then served in the U. S. Army.
After his honorable discharge, Wendell began his career in the banking industry, working in Nacogdoches, Lufkin, Tyler and Lindale until his retirement.
Wendell was united in marriage with Nina Sealy on June 8, 1999, in Jamaica. They lived in Tyler two years before returning to their hometown area when they bought her dad, Judge Ray Sealy’s house.
He enjoyed fishing in their tanks and was passionate about keeping his yard pristine and immaculate. His kids and grandchildren were also very important to him. Wendell served as a Deacon while he was a member of the First Baptist Church in Tyler and, after moving, he transferred his membership to the First Baptist Church at Mexia.
Wendell was preceded in death by his grandparents and parents.
He is survived by his wife, Nina Pool of Mexia; brother and sister-in-law, Charles and Rose Ann Pool of Nacogdoches; two daughters Shannon Stiefel of Flint and Amy Annett of Tyler; six grandchildren and six great grandchildren: Brandon Noble; Blayne and Ramey Noble and their children Ava Grace and Baker; Aubry and Tyler Blackman and their children Stetson and Daisy; Trevin and Alicia Annett and their children Rene and Lily; and Trenton Annett (all of Tyler); and Nicole Stiefel of Lubbock. He is also survived by Nina’s children and grandchildren: Damon and Loretta Arthur and their daughter Alex of Grapevine; Jana and Joe Don Osbourn and their children, Krystian and Cade of Bandera.
Visit www.groesbeckfuneralhome.com to leave messages of condolence on the guestbook.