MUSKEGON, Mich. — The Reverend Charles Poole was well known by many for his efforts for peace and equality and on Tuesday, he passed away.
Jon Covington is a local filmmaker in West Michigan and tells 13 On Your Side that the Rev. Poole was a joy to be around. He also said that Poole embodied his mantra of being a force for change while bringing people together.
"People are referring to him as a legend, the community is better because of him, both black and white people," said Covington.
The Rev. Charles Poole was featured in Covington's documentary "Black Man," highlighting his love for the community and his greatest passion of all, children.
"He was a part of the Muskegon Museum of Arts exhibit, but I had to have him as a part of the film. He's one of the reasons why that literacy initiative exists. He's all about the kids, said Covington.
Rev. Poole had been ill for some time leading up to his death on Tuesday. In his 96 years, he accomplished many things including being Muskegon's first elected Black official. He was elected to the school board in 1970. He also inspired change-making alongside Martin Luther King Jr and knew the "Queen of Soul" Aretha Franklin.
"Here was a young person who had a great amount of talent but an even greater amount of soul," said Rev. Charles Poole in August of 2018.
Covington said Poole was born into a family of ministers and served as pastor in Muskegon's Bethesda Baptist Church for 55 years. He said he and Reverend Poole's family are coping with the loss and hope to carry on his legacy of fairness.
"Think about what it's like to be fair. That's what he was all about, regardless of whom you were, is fair. That's one of the things that I think about when I think of him, is, am I being fair?" said Covington.
Covington said funeral arrangements for Reverend Poole are expected to be released next week.