Nelda Ann Poole

July 23, 1938 - November 2, 2020

Nelda Ann Poole, 82, died November 2, 2020 at her home after a short illness. She was a retired Registered Nurse, having spent 35 years in the medical field. She was born in Hot Springs on July 23, 1938 to Carl and Eloise Gross, and graduated from Hot Springs High School. She was a deacon at First Presbyterian Church. She is survived by her husband Orville Poole; two daughters, Renee McGowan of Henryetta, OK, and Deondra Shaffer of Green Meadow, PA; five stepsons, Richard, Larry and Timothy Poole of Hot Springs, Robert Poole of Fayetteville, AR, and Dr. Charles Poole of Chattanooga, TN; 18 grandchildren and 13 great grandchildren. She was a member of the first graduating class for Licensed Practical Nurses at Garland County Community College (now National Park College). This was before the first campus was built, and students met in churches, store fronts and even abandoned school buildings. She worked full time and continued her nursing schooling until achieving her degree registered nurse license. She spent 17 years as the managing nurse over the newborn baby unit, first at the old Ouachita Hospital and then what is now National Park Regional Hospital. She finished the last 10 years of her career as the director of infection control and employee health at National Park hospital. Following retirement from active nursing, she volunteered for several years at the Charitable Christian Clinic, and the County Health Department's annual mass influenza vaccination clinic. Visitation will be 1:00 PM Friday November 6th at Hot Springs Funeral Home with services to follow at 2:00 PM with Reverend Lance Jones officiating. Burial will be at Memorial Gardens Cemetery. Due to Covid-19 a face covering is required and social distancing will be practiced. Arrangements are by Hot Springs Funeral Home Online condolences at www.hotspringsfh.com