Luther Allen Poole

Luther Allen Poole, 83, of Charleston, South Carolina, passed away on Sunday, December 28, 2025, surrounded by his family at home.

Luke, as he preferred to be called, was born on November 17, 1942, in Latta, SC. He was son of the late Maggie Turner Poole and Luther Burdette Poole.

As Luke was born in the middle of World War II, he spent the first nine years of his life with his family on a small farm in Swansea. Eventually, the family moved to Charleston where his father worked at the Charleston Naval Shipyard. Luke grew up in the North Charleston schools. He was an avid sports fan and participant, having played every sport available in the Park Circle area. Those who knew him were introduced many times as "I used to play ball with him." That same interest followed him all his life, and he shared it with his children and nieces and nephews.

At Clemson University he joined the AFROTC program that commissioned him into the USAF as a Second Lieutenant, in April 1965. He and Carol married in November 1965 and began married life in Germany. Luke then served his career in Korat, Thailand, Charleston, SC, Hawaii, England, and Pope AFB in NC. He retired in 1987 having achieved the rank of Lieutenant Colonel as well as receiving numerous medals, including Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Joint Service Commendation Medal, Presidential Unit Citation with Oak Leaf Cluster, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Small Arms Expert Marksmanship, Humanitarian Service Medal, and others.

Luke was active in his community and his church. He was President of the Methodist Men and the Asbury Class at Aldersgate Methodist Church. He also volunteered with the Holy City Missions program at the Food Bank and Warming Shelter. He lived a very worthy life, but his greatest pride was in his family. His favorite people called him Poppy.

Luke is survived by his wife Carol Ann; daughter Jennifer and her husband Micah Poplin; son David and wife Heather; grandchildren Abigail, Kenzie and Madelyn, sister Margie Poole Weathers and her family and his brother Bob. 

The family will receive friends on January 17, 2026, at 11AM at Aldersgate Global Methodist Church, 1444 Remount Road, North Charleston, SC 29406, and afterwards in the Church Social Hall.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Holy City Missions at Aldersgate, 1444 Remount Road, North Charleston, SC 29406. 

Expressions of sympathy may be viewed or submitted online at mcalister-smith.com/. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Goose Creek, PO Box 247, Goose Creek, SC 29445..