In Loving Memory

On the evening of Sunday, August 7, 2022, Vickie Poole Cintron of Greensboro stepped out of time at the age of 66.

Vickie was born to Walter and Cynthia (Rutherford) Poole in 1956 in Morganton, North Carolina. A graduate of Freedom High School, she attended  N.C. A&T State University and received a degree in animal husbandry. Vickie worked for the Farmers Home Administration before joining the Coast Guard stationed in New Jersey. Vickie retired 10 years ago from the Guilford County Sheriffs Department. She enjoyed life, traveled, lived in Florida and Hawaii, loved Dave Koz music and attending concerts like Earth, Wind, Fire, loved to go "finding" at the Dillard Clearance Center with her best friend Sharon Avery, and cooking meals for mom and dad with Pandora music always playing in the background. She was an excellent cook and loved an adventure, lived through all the many antics at the "Blackwell Farm," she loved hummingbirds and Westerns. Vickie was known for her sense of humor, her smile and someone who keeps it real. A character, she would give you the shirt off her back at the same time she's telling you why you should have had a shirt in the first place.

Preceded in death by her brother, Walter Moore Poole, Jr. (Buster) whose presence helped guide her Home, she is survived by both her parents; daughters, Sheyla Cintron Blackwell (Levi), Kayla Cintron; sisters Jean Rutherford (Charles (deceased)), Sherry Poole Clark (Kerry), Alesia Poole; brother, Virgil Poole; her niece and nephews, Amy Rutherford, Wade and Wendell Poole, Mikey Poole, Drake Poole, and Kullen Clark; her much loved grandchildren, Levi Jr. (Jam), Emmett and Evelynn (Evie) Blackwell.

Vickie left behind family and friends who are crushed to the core. She is at rest passing from this life as her daughter, a nurse, said was "the most beautiful, peaceful transition that she has ever witnessed." Vickie, we hold you close in mind and spirit. You will forever be loved and missed.

You were Brave

When the doctor informed Vickie that she had 2-3 months to live she said, "Okay, I always wanted to go before my Mama and Daddy." Years before her diagnosis she said that; that she didn't know what she would do without them. With her now gone, I understand that. I am not sure how I will . . . or even if I will, be able to go on the way I used to. I am so accustomed to calling her to ask about the kids, to discuss 45, and most times just to see where she was. How do you fill the gap between what was and what is?

Vickie was a true warrior. She didn't ask why, she didn't talk about her prognosis, she wasn't bitter, she didn't even cry. As for me, I cried, screamed, questioned, begged, and am still processing how she handled her situation. I don't think she gave up. I do think she detached herself from this life and sided with her Soul. She knew what the outcome would be and that she had to go, so she might as well get on with God's timing. She left 27 days after her prognosis.

I assume not talking about cancer and dying was her way of comforting us, even though she was the one who needed it the most. She asked us not to cry and not to be sad - it's alright, it's okay she said. Vickie, you were the bravest person to the end. I am so grateful for your life. Who knew that 66 years would be so short? I know that He chose you and that is an honor and that you are now free from pain. Please be patient with those of us who are happy for you but wish you were still here. RIP and eventually we will be okay. I miss you hard.