Evalean Smithson Poole

Submitted by Mary Caudle

Death of Evalena Smithson Poole, as written in the Covington, TN newspaper on 17 Apr, 1924.  

Mrs. Evie Poole was fatally burned, and the Second Methodist Church plus the 2 adjoining residenses at South Covington were destroyed about 5 o'clock Tuesday afternoon, as a result of Mrs. Poole using coal oil to start a fire in the cook stove. She poured the oil direct from the container onto some invisible live coals in the fire box, causing instant ignition, followed by an explosion, while she held the 5 gallon container in her hands. Her 12 year old son (James W. Pool) made a heroic effort to extinguish the flames that had enveloped his mother and was badly burned himself in the attempt. Friends and neighbors reached her too late to save her, she died at 2 o'clock Wednesday AM. Mrs. Poole was a widow with 3 children, and a former employee of O-Cedar Mills. Her funeral was held at Maley's funeral home on April 17, with Rev. R.W. Newson of the Methodist Church and Rev. L. Rayner conducting the Services. She was buried at the Munford Cemetery, Covington, TN.  She was survived by 3 children, a brother Andy Smithson, and an uncle Moses A. York.

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