LETA JO STONE POOLE
Leta Jo Stone Poole, 83, of Burnet, Texas, passed away on June 14, 2025, after a lengthy illness.
Leta was born at home on Nov. 23, 1941, in Lynn County, Texas, to Mary Josephine Stanley Stone and James Willard Stone. At only one year old, the family moved to the close-knit, rural, farming community of Graham, near Post, Texas, in Garza County. She was the third of five children.
She attended Graham Chapel School through grade eight and graduated from Post High School in 1960. She attended Lubbock Christian College and graduated in 1962. Soon after, she married Elwyn Jay “Pete” Pierce, and they had three children. They were divorced in 1982. She spent much time during her children’s early years as a homemaker. A talented cook and seamstress, she sewed clothing, costumes and many other items for her children during this season of her life.
Extending her college education at Texas Tech University, Leta graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Education in 1976. Her first teaching job was in 1977 with Tahoka Independent School District (ISD), where she taught reading. Over the course of her teaching career, she taught junior high and high school reading and served as a One Act Play director, UIL coach, cheerleading sponsor and student council sponsor for both Tahoka ISD and Crane ISD. She retired in 2003 after 26 years of teaching.
Leta married fellow educator and foreign language professor, Wendell Eudell McClendon, in 1989. They shared a very happy life, enjoying many activities together, including traveling abroad. They also enjoyed activities with their teenage and young adult children and then, the welcoming of the first grandchildren. He preceded her in death from cancer in 1992. Following his passing, Leta devoted her time to her students and to spending as much time as possible with her grandchildren.
In 2005, Leta reconnected with past high school classmate, Larry Kenneth Poole. They married and enjoyed retirement together, traveling to various locations by car, plane and cruise ship. They built their dream house on a hilltop in Burnet County. After she became ill in 2016, he cared for her at home until her death.
Leta was preceded in death by her parents; a brother, Jerrel Stone; a sister, Lenona Eblen; and one son, Steve Pierce.
She is survived by her daughter, Dawn Pierce Dockter and husband Paul, of Wellington, Texas; her son, Kirk Pierce, of Tahoka, Texas; and one stepdaughter, Kelly McClendon, of Bertinoro, Italy. She will also be missed by her sisters, Kathy Dean, of Capitan, N.M., and Mary Ann Brady and husband Ed, of Hamby, Texas, as well as her six grandchildren, 14 great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.
Survivors also include her husband, Kenny, and his sons, Greg Poole and wife Linda, of Barbers Hill, Texas, and Jeff Poole and wife Mitzi, of Katy, Texas, and their families, as well as numerous past students, fellow teachers and friends.
A Celebration of Life will be held at 2 p.m. Monday, June 30, 2025, at Hudman Funeral Home, 615 W. Main St., Post, Texas 79356.
