Claude W. Poland, Jr.

Claude Poland, Jr. Tupelo - Claude William Poland, Jr., 85, died May 16, 2012 at his home surrounded by his loving family. He was born November 18, 1926 in Clarksdale, MS. He was the son of Claude William Poland, Sr. and Blanche Marie Morgan Poland. On June 25, 1950 he married Alma Wright Wilson of Laurel, MS. They were married for 61 years. He is survived by three children, Anne Ferrin Poland Simmons (John Richard) of Lake Ridge, VA, William Brooks Poland (LaFonda Anne Mattox) of Batesville, MS and David William Poland (Lee Ann Whitfield) of Florence, MS. He is also survived by his sister, Eugenia Marie Poland Mothershed (John Milton) of Batesville, MS and five grandchildren, John David Simmons, Neil Taylor Simmons, Brannon Mattox Poland, Anne Claire Poland Henson, and Laura Frances Poland as well as a great-grandson, Brayden Mattox Poland and numerous cousins. He graduated from Lula-Rich High School in Lula, MS in 1944 and is a veteran of WWII with an honorable discharge in 1946. A 1949 Banking and Finance graduate of the University of Mississippi, he began working at the Bank of Lula, of which his uncle was one of the organizers and his father was a majority stockholder. He was also Mayor of Lula for two terms. After several years, the Bank of Lula merged with the Coahoma County Bank of Clarksdale. He later accepted the position of Vice-President and Manager of the Booneville branch of the Bank of Mississippi (BancorpSouth). In 1972 he began serving as Commercial Loan Officer in the Loan Administration Division and Credit Administration Department in Tupelo, MS. He was instrumental in organizing the Mortgage Loan Division of the bank. He graduated from LSU School of Banking and from Mortgage Banking Association Schools at Northwestern University and the University of Maryland. He held real estate, life, and casualty insurance licenses. After 50 years in banking, he retired from BancorpSouth in August, 1999 as Senior Vice President. He was a member of Eta Chapter of Sigma Chi social fraternity, the American Legion, a 32nd degree Mason, SAR, and a long time member of Tupelo Rotary Club. A member of First United Methodist Church, he was Treasurer, member of the Administrative Board and Finance Committee and a certified Stephen Minister. He also taught two Sunday school classes. Pallbearers will be John David Simmons, Neil Taylor Simmons, Brannon Mattox Poland, John William Mothershed, David Eugene Dyess, and George Cox. Honorary Pallbearers will be Chuch Henson, John R. Simmons, The Chapman Men's Sunday School Bible Class and The Wesley Sunday School Class of First United Methodist Church. Services will be 11:00 a.m. Saturday, May 19, 2012, at First United Methodist Church in Tupelo with Rev. Andy Ray, Rev. Regan Miskelly and Rev. Jimmy Criddle officiating. Private burial will be at Barbee Cemetery in Lula, MS. Visitation will be Saturday, May 19, 2012, in The Gathering Room of First United Methodist Church from 9:00 a.m. until service time. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to Helping Hands of First United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 854, Tupelo, MS 38804 or The Sanctuary Home Hospice, 5159 W. Main Street, Tupelo, MS 38801 or a charity of your choice. Of all his accomplishments, his family will most remember him for his loving and generous heart, and his deep and abiding faith.