Hattiesburg, MS
Funeral Home
McDonald’s Funeral Home
Visitation
Monday, March 9, 2026, 9:30-10:30, McDonald Funeral Home.
Service
Monday, March 9, 2026, 10:30 AM, McDonald Funeral Home.
Obituary
Military Service Tribute, Honors, and Obituary:
Recognizing and Honoring a Fallen Hero, Who Served Within the Mississippi National Guard. “Fallen, Yet Not Forgotten”.
In recognition of our proud American tradition of honorable service which our military men and women have given to their country and our State, we honor a Fallen Hero. Our nation, our state, and the National Guard Association of MS (NGAMS) regard the memorializing of its retired military deceased as an honorable and sacred obligation.
Another great Soldier and Fallen Hero has been released from duty, passed from our ranks on March 1, 2026, and has moved on to his heavenly home. Retired Major General Richard S. Poole, age 88, Hattiesburg, MS, who had served in the STARC, 106th Support Battalion, Installation Support Unit Shelby, and 66th Trooop Command has departed and gone to a better place with our good Lord. General Poole had served as the first fulltime Recruiting and Retention Officer, later serving as the Shelby Mobilzation Officer, Assistant State Surface Maintenance Manager, State G1, and ultimately serving as the MSARNG ATAG.
It takes a special person to serve within the military for their country, giving up their family time, comfort, and safety for their country, ultimately for all Americans to enjoy their freedoms, safety, and way of life. We now applaud you for your service to our country. A special message from General Douglas McArthur remains applicable today for our servicemen that have passed: “Old Soldiers never die; they just fade away”.
Rest in Peace Soldier. We applaud your patriotism, sacrifices, and brave efforts in serving our country and your family for their support of your service. We thank you for your service. Without your efforts and your families’ support, our country would not stand so boldly, shine so bright, and live so free.
You now have earned a rest, so go fly with the Angels, go rest high on that mountain; your work on earth is done. Go to heaven a-shoutin’ Love for the Father and the Son.
Another great Soldier has gone home, “Fallen, Yet Not Forgotten, Soldier for Life”.
Obituary, Visitation, and Service Details:
Richard Spinks Poole, Major General (ret.)(MSNG) passed away on March 1, 2026 in Gulfport, Mississippi at the age of 88. MG Poole was a servant of the Lord and a beloved husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather.
In 1955, while a senior at DeKalb High School, he enlisted in the Mississippi Army National Guard as a member of the 786th Transportation Company in Scooba, Mississippi. Thus began a 42 year military career which culminated with his service as commander of the 66th Troop Command and Assistant Adjutant General of Mississippi. He was active duty for 31/2 years during his career.
His most notable federal awards included: the Distinguished Service Medal, the Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service Medal and Army Commendation Medal.
His top state awards included: the Mississippi Magnolia Cross, Magnolia Medal, and the Mississippi War Medal.
After retirement, he served as President of the Mississippi Armed Forces Museum Foundation Board of Directors and was named East Mississippi Community College 2025 Alumnus of the Year.
Richard and his wife, Mary Lou, celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary in 2025. They have two children, Colonel (ret.) Richard Payne Poole (Connie) and Mary Ellen Solich (Justin); along with four grandchildren SFC Richard Poole, PO1 Nicholas Poole, Spencer Poole, and Abigail Poole; along with a great grandson, Hunter Poole.
He was preceded in death by his granddaughter Ashley, mother Ellen Newell, father Francis Marion, sister Mary Winner Dudley, and great aunt and uncle George and Verna Payne.
MG (ret.) Poole’s funeral service will be held on Monday , March 9, 2026 at 10:30 AM, at the McDonald Funeral Home Chapel, Picayune, MS. He will be laid to rest with full military honors.
Visitation will be on Monday, March 9, 2026 from 9:30 AM until 10:30 AM at McDonald Funeral Home.
Burial will be at New Palestine Cemetery under the direction of McDonald Funeral Home.
In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Mississippi Armed Forces Museum Foundation – 850 Forrest Ave W, Camp Shelby, MS 39407, or to East Mississippi Community College – https://www.eastms.edu/alumni/donations/index.html.