Carolyn Pool
Carolyn “Boney/Nana” Thacker Pool, of Chattanooga, went home to be with the Lord on March 16, 2025.
Born on Jan. 10, 1940, in Houston, Texas, to Irene (McAvoy) and Ross McCoy Thacker, she was welcomed into the world alongside her identical twin sister, Marilyn. “The twins” always loved to joke that Carolyn was the older one - by a whopping two minutes.
She was married to the love of her life, Deavell (Dee) Hardin Pool, for 67 beautiful years, and together they built a life with faith, family and home being the foundation. Carolyn was a member of Red Bank Baptist Church. She was a prayer warrior and a friend to all. She also had a heart for serving, volunteering with Hospice and at Erlanger’s NICU, where she rocked and cared for tiny babies who needed a loving touch.
Carolyn never met a stranger. With her warm Southern charm, a kind word for everyone, and a laugh that could brighten the darkest day, she made friends wherever she went. She was a true-blue, loyal friend, always ready with a helping hand or a shoulder to lean on. Her faith wasn’t just something she talked about - it was something she lived.
She spent most of her career as an executive assistant and earned her CPS accreditation. Even after retiring at 72, she stayed busy, working at a local nonprofit where she had the joy of sharing time with her grandson, Eliot, during his internship.
Carolyn was the heart of her home, and no matter how much she had on her plate, her family came first. She had a talent for making a house a home - sewing clothes for her girls, making curtains and decorations, and keeping everything looking just right (if you know, you know). She often stayed up late working on projects, got a little sleep, and then went on to work. Supper was a sit-down affair most nights, and Sunday dinner after church often featured her most excellent pot roast. As the kids got older, they helped in the kitchen and learned to cook (and somehow, all managed to survive).
She leaves behind a legacy of love, laughter, faith, and an unshakable moral compass for all of us to continue using. Her work ethic and devotion to family set a standard that will carry on for generations.
Carolyn is survived by her devoted husband, Dee Pool; their children, Tina Pool, Tracye Pool (Brian O’Leary) and Todd Pool (Candy Pool); grandchildren, Michael Pool (who nicknamed her Boney), Nicole Howard, Jordan Henderson (Maria Henderson) and Eliot Berz; a small army of truly great-grandchildren and three really great-great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her precious sister, Marilyn Wells; and her beloved nieces and nephews.
Though our hearts are heavy, we take comfort in knowing she is with the Lord, free from pain and surrounded by the kind of love and joy we can only imagine. We’ll miss her more than words can say, but we will carry her love with us always; we know our parting is temporary.
The family will receive friends from 4-7 p.m. on Friday, March 21, at the funeral home.
A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, March 22, in the funeral home chapel. Interment will follow in Chattanooga Memorial Park.
To share your memories of Carolyn, please visit https://www.hamiltonfhofchattanooga.com/obituary/carolyn-pool
Arrangements are by Hamilton Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 4506 Hixson Pike, Hixson, Tn. 37343.