Billie Ruth Poole, 79, of Beaumont and recently of McKinney, Texas, died Thursday, March 5, 2015, at her home. She was born Billie Ruth Mantooth on June 27, 1935, in Dierks, Arkansas, to Ruth Emma Jackson and Jerry Andrew Mantooth.

Billie was a member of the 1953 Dierks High School class where she was a majorette and elected into the Homecoming Court, was Best Liked and a runner up for Most Beautiful.  After graduation, she attended the Arkansas State Teachers College and was a graduate of Hotel Dieu School of Nursing, where she became a Registered Nurse in 1957.  She married James Dumont Poole of Leesville, Louisiana, on February 8, 1958.  Billie lived most of her life in Beaumont, working as an operating room nurse at St. Elizabeth Hospital for many years. She enjoyed selling real estate, and worked for both American Real Estate and Coldwell Banker, where she was a broker.  Billie enjoyed spending time with friends and family, and particularly enjoyed playing cards such as bridge, canasta, hearts and spades. She looked forward to her monthly lunch outings with her nursing classmates and friends. Billie’s favorite past time was redecorating her home and maintaining a beautiful yard (made possible by the labor of her children.)

She is survived by her children, Jerry Poole and his wife, Tammy, of Brownwood; Jeffrey Poole of McKinney; and Rebecca Duncan and her husband, Chris, of Burleson; grandchildren, Justin Poole and Ashley Poole; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Billie is preceded in death by her parents; her husband, James Dumont Poole; her sister, Jerry Mae Benedict; and her brothers, Joseph Patrick Mantooth and Michael Andrew Mantooth.

A gathering of Mrs. Poole’s family and friends will be from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m., Tuesday, March 10, 2015, at Broussard’s, 1605 North Major Drive, Beaumont. Her funeral service will be 10:00 a.m., Wednesday, March 11, 2015, at Broussard’s, with interment to follow at Forest Lawn Memorial Park, Beaumont.

Memorial contributions may be made to the charity of your choice.