Reverend Swayne LaFayette Poole

Reverend Swayne LaFayette Poole, age 79 of Griffin, Georgia formerly of Gillsville, Georgia  passed away peacefully after an extended illness at Brightmoor Hospice on Sunday, January 2, 2022.

Rev. Poole, known to many as “Preacher Poole”, was born in Banks County, Georgia on May 5, 1942. He was preceded in death by his parents Benjamin L. Poole and Margie Lillian Poole, along with brothers Jerry and Ronnie.

Rev. Poole was a loving husband, father and grandfather, known affectionately to his family as “Papa”.  Survivors include, his wife of 60 ½ years, Vivian C. Poole; son, Gregory Poole, and his wife, Andrea and children, Emilee, Jonathan, and Benjamin; son, Mark Poole and his wife, Rita and children, Abbey and Madison.

Rev. Poole was a 1960 graduate of Banks County High School, and after feeling God’s call on his life to enter in to ministry, he was ordained at Gillsville Baptist Church on June 21, 1970, and soon thereafter attended and graduated from The Baptist College of Florida in Graceville, Florida in 1973 with a diploma in Theology, 1975 graduate of Louisiana College, Pineville, Louisiana with a B.A. Degree and received his Master of Divinity in 1988 from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. In his many years of devoted service to God, Rev. Poole pastored the following churches: Bethlehem and Pine Grove Baptist Church, Louisville, Alabama, 1970 - 1971, Pine Level Baptist Church, Cleo, Alabama 1971-1973, First Baptist Church, Pine Prairie, Louisiana 1973-1975, Hill Street Baptist Church, Toccoa, Georgia 1975-1982, DeVotie Baptist Church, Griffin, Georgia 1982-1995. He also served as the Flint River Baptist Association, Director of Missions, 1995-2005, then interim pastor at Fellowship Baptist Church, Thomaston, Georgia, 2005-2006 and Hollonville Baptist Church, Hollonville, GA, 2006-2007; his final pastorate was at Bethel Baptist Church, Milner, Georgia, 2007-2016. At the time of his death, Rev. Poole was a member of New Salem Baptist Church in Griffin, Georgia.

In fulfilling his passion for missions, Rev. Poole led revivals and crusades in Venezuela, Guatemala, Russia, Ukraine, Germany, Jamaica, and Ecuador, and he also held many revivals in numerous churches mostly throughout the southern United States.

While in Griffin he served as President of Griffin Ministerial Association, Griffin Anti-Drug Commission, Griffin Crisis Forum, Spalding County Cancer Society, Griffin Red Cross Board Member and was awarded Minister of the Year in 1988.

A private graveside service will be held on Wednesday, January 5, 2022 in his hometown of Gillsville, Georgia. The Reverend Jerrell Beatty will officiate. In lieu of flowers, the family kindly asks that you please donate to Gideons International for the purchase of Bibles in memory of “Preacher Poole”. 

Please share online condolences to the family at www.wardsfh.com. Ward’s Funeral Home is honored to assist in local arrangements for Rev. Swayne Poole.

Ward’s Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Gainesville. “A Family Funeral Home”