On September 14, 2021, Thomas Gwyn Poindexter II passed away peacefully at the age of 90, after a recent fall that led to complications from which he never recovered. Thomas was born to Thomas Gwyn Poindexter and Anne Louise Lacey Poindexter in Winston Salem, NC on November 11, 1930, the second of their three children.
After graduating from Davidson College in 1953 he joined the US Army and was stationed at Fort McClellan where he would meet his future wife Ann Roy Halloran, the base commander’s daughter. Following the Korean War Thomas moved back to North Carolina determined to make something of himself before he could marry Ann and so began work managing Esso service stations there. He made such an impression that he was recommended for a corporate assignment with Esso international in New York City.
After nine months of training and an eye-opening stay in New York City he received an international assignment in Bogota, so far from his roots in the southeast that he needed an atlas to understand precisely where Colombia was; it was the beginning of a lifelong adventure. Arriving in Bogota he was given three months to learn Spanish and pass an efficiency test while working at a brand-new job.
Once completed, he promptly flew back to the States and married Ann Roy. Being a seasoned Army brat, she was excited for his adventure to become theirs. Their adventure would take them and their growing family of four children from both South and Central America, to Europe and the Caribbean, seven different countries in all. The couple’s ability to cultivate lifelong friends was surely due to their love of and ability to host a good party, which they threw often, along with a love of tennis.
Even in retirement and after twenty-five years with Esso (Exxon) and five years with Tropigas, the adventure continued as Thomas and Ann would volunteer in Barbados helping support small businesses in and around the Lesser Antilles with the International Executive Service Corps. Upon returning to the States and settling in Anniston, Thomas continued his volunteer work mentoring small businesses with Anniston’s local chapter of SCORE.
His beloved Ann preceded Thomas in death earlier this year. Thomas is survived by his four children, Thomas Gwynn Poindexter III (Christina) of x Spain, Ethel Poindexter of Northampton, MA, Patty Sorenson (Tony) of Fernandina Beach, FL, and Michael Poindexter (Betim) of New York, NY, along with six grandchildren.
He also leaves behind his sister Sally Poindexter Simmons (Stephen) of Winter Park, FL. Brother-in-law Edward T Taws of Pinehurst, NC and several nieces and nephews.
As requested, Thomas and Ann’s ashes will be dispersed into the ocean during a ceremony along the shores of Fernandina Beach FL.
Memorial donations can be made in lieu of flowers to: Women With a Purpose, P.O. Box 462, Anniston Al , 36202 US
- Copyright: Copyright, 2021, The Anniston Star, Consolidated Publishing Co. All Rights Reserved.