Obituary Order of Service Frank Thomas Polk, Sr. departed this life and entered into the loving arms of Jesus on Thursday, May 31, 2012, the youngest of 4 children to Johnnie Ben Polk and Lillie Mai McClain Polk, Frank was born in Nolensville, TN on March 16, 1934, and was raised by a loving Step Mother, Ada Bell Polk. Frank was educated in the Williamson County Public School System and graduated from Franklin Training School in 1952 and attended A&I (now Tennessee State University) for 1 year. He served in the United States Army for 6 years and received an Honorable Discharge on September 30, 1962. At an early age, Frank accepted Christ and united with Nolensville Ebenezer Methodist Church, now Ebenezer United Methodist Church. He was dutiful to his church, community and family and could be found doing whatever it took to promote the cause of Christ. Frank was a strong oak of leadership and integrity that has supported the framework of his family and church family for many years. The roots of his ministry not only run deep into the soil of the Nolensville community, but also wherever the light of Christianity shines in song. Frank used his musical talents to inspire and enlighten those who had the privilege to hear him sing. Brother Frank s musical ministry was truly a gift from God. The strength of a mature tree is often tested as is the wooden structure of an old building. With the storms and turbulence of daily life fracturing families and faith, it is good to know that Brother Frank Polk s most requested song resounds that there s hope for this leaky old building and our souls have got to move. Frank enjoyed being and eating with his family and friends. His stomach was a bottomless pit and his motto was I may not be hungry, but I can always eat! He loved baseball and played for the Nolensville Stars. Other hobbies and interest included football, basketball, gardening and traveling. Whenever there was a family trip, he was always the first one packed and ready go. He believed in getting on the road early and you had better be ready by the designated departure time or you would never hear the end of it! Frank retired from Ferro Corporation after 33 years of service and served on the Nolensville/College Grove Water District Board for many years. Frank married Mamie Frezena Patton on June 4, 1960 and to this union, 3 children were born, Frezena Addrenia, Frank Thomas, Jr. and Lillie Alfreda. Frank is preceded in death by parents Johnnie B. and Lillie Mai Polk, step mother, Ada Bell Polk and brothers John B. Polk, Jr. and Willie L. Polk. Frank leaves to celebrate his life and memory, devoted wife, Mamie F. Polk of Nolensville, TN; Devoted son Frank T. (Lori) Polk, Jr., devoted daughters Frezena (Lamont) Claybrooks and Alfreda (James) Cotton. Devoted grandchildren Quinton Claybrooks, James Jay Cotton and LaKeisha Claybrooks. Devoted brother Leslie F. Polk, Devoted Sister-in-laws Dorothy Polk, Annie Margaret Vaughn and Vivian (George) Moreland. Devoted Brotherin-law J.C. (Carrie) Patton, Jr. Devoted Nieces, Shirley (Jesse) White, Detroit, MI, Patricia Polk, Toledo, OH, Jackie (Elder Mack) Morton, Hattie (Lemon) Shaw, Vickie (Ron) Thompson, Karen (Sam) McClain, Sharon (Derrick) Lewis and Dolly (Hubert) Thomas. Devoted Nephews, Charles (Carrie) Jones, Charles Vaughn, Larry, Carl and Charles Williams and Jason Wright. Foster Nephews, Jerry (Maria) Patton and Alexander Perkins, Foster Nieces, Joyce Battle, Joyce Shearry, and Gala (Rick) Murray. First Cousins D.C. (Brenda) Bostic, Indianapolis, IN, Rev. Allen (Andrea) Ridley, Patti (Danny) Johnson, Dorothy Williams, Annie Pearl DeBerry, Lillie Ruth Brown, Mary Pratt, George Lee (Oweda) Floyd, Willie Floyd, Ernest Floyd. Devoted Friends, Charles (Fannie) Patton, Chicago, IL, Ben Brown, Thomas E. (Margaret) Goodloe, Jessie Brown, Marie Babb, Tyrus and Rolanda Smartt, Michael (Monica) Gordon and Elder Frank and Marie Ogilvie as well as a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. PRELUDE SONG PRAYER Ebenezer United Methodist Church Choir Bro. James Morton SCRIPTURE Old Testament: Psalm 23 Brother Jerry Patton New Testament: John 14:1-6, 27 Reverend Dwight Gordon Solo ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS and RESOLUTIONS SOLO TRIBUTES Reflections of a Friend Family Reflections SOLO Reverend Wayne Wright Providence Primitive Baptist Church Sis. Bernice Fitzgerald Sis. Carolyn Wray Mason Bro. Charles Patton Sis. Alfreda Cotton Sis. Twjuana Williams WORDS OF COMFORT Reverend L. Stacy Cowan 3 minutes Ebenezer United Methodist Church SPECIAL REFLECTIONS and SOLO EULOGY BENEDICTION RECESSIONAL The Reverend Kimi Brown, Officiant The Reverend Roland Scruggs, Eulogist Reverend Cora Alston Faith Church Elder Jasper Hatcher Locust Ridge Primitive Baptist Church Reverend Kimi Brown Caldwell United Methodist Church Elder Richard Lloyd Green Grove Primitive Baptist Church Reverend Roland Scruggs
Loving Tributes THE FINAL FLIGHT (I m Free) Don t grieve for me, for now I m free, I m following the path God laid for me. I took his hand when I heard his call, I turned my back and left it all. I could not stay another day, To laugh, to love, to work, to play. Tasks left undone must stay that way, I ve found that peach at the end of the day. If my parting has left a void, Then fill it with remembered joy. A friendship shared, a laugh, a kiss, Ah, yes these things too will miss. Be not burdened with times of sorrow, I wish you the sunshine of tomorrow. My Life s been full, I savoured much, Good friends, good times, a loved one touch. Perhaps my time seemed all too brief, Don t lengthen it now with undue grief. Lift up your heart and share with me, God wanted me now, He set me free. PAPA The smile on your face is a lasting moment in our hearts. Nothing in this world, even death can keep us apart. Together we have cried an ocean of tears and we feel so empty yet remember the years. We know that you are in a better place, and trust that you are watching us all with a smile on your face. Thinking back now, we really must say, we feel lucky and privileged to have had you in our lives. The memories we will always cherish and you will never be forgotten. For you will always be in our hearts. We love you Papa! Quinton, Jay and Kei NEVER READY TO SAY GOODBYE We're never ready to say goodbye To someone we hold dear. If it were up to us, dear Dad, We'd always keep you here. But God has reasons of His own And plans we cannot know, And these are always for our good, Though it may seem not so. Our arms are empty and our hearts Are filled with tears and grief, For we who loved each day with you, Now find those days too brief. Yet if we could only heaven see, We'd know you're happy there, And we would never call you back When such great joy you share. And so we'll trust you to God's great care And know some day, once more, We'll hold you to our hearts again When we reach heaven's shore. (Poem by Saralyn Smith) Frezena, Frank Jr. and Alfreda
Cherished Moments
Acknowledgements The family of the late Frank Thomas Polk, Sr. would like to thank you for your warm expressions of sympathy, support and compassion during the recent loss of our loved one. Your sympathy to our family is greatly appreciated. We take comfort from all acts of kindness that you have extended to our family and sharing in the loving memories that we hold. Love all whom you hold dear, precious are the memories, for now they re free. Please do not wait for tomorrow, for tomorrow may never be. Sincerely, The Family Special Thanks to Dr. Carl Willis and the his team at Nashville Oncology, Dan Rudy at Saint Thomas Hospital, Home Health Aids Wanda Wiggins and Janice Henry, The Alive Hospice Nurses, Technicians and the New Generation Funeral Home. Pallbearers Mr. Charles Jones Mr. Lemon Shaw Mr. Carl Williams Mr. Larry Williams Mr. Charles Williams Mr. Ron Thompson Mr. Derrick Lewis Mr. Sam McClain Mr. Alexander Perkins Honorary Pallbearers Mr. Jerry Patton Mr. James Morton Mr. John Fitzgerald Mr. Michael Gordon Mr. Ben Brown Mr. Tyrus Smartt Mr. Rick Murray Mr. James Howse Flower Attendants Mrs. Jackie Morton Mrs. Vickie Thompson Mrs. Sharon Lewis Mrs. Karen McClain Mrs. Hattie Shaw Mrs. Gala Murray Mrs. Joyce Shearry Mrs. Dolly Thomas The Service of Committal and Interment Middle Tennessee Veterans Cemetery Pegram, Tennessee Funeral Services Entrusted to New Generation Funeral Home 2930 Murfreesboro Pike Antioch, TN 37013 Tonya Scales-Haynes Pastor Derrick L. Jackson Funeral Directors (615) 365-7105 NewGenerationFH.com Program Design and Printing by 615-256-6707 ph 615-256-6708 fx ernest.broadwater@broadwaterprint.com Soothe Family Heartaches with Design-In-Advance Services For more information visit www.celebratingawonderfullife.com Copyright 2007 by Broadwater and Associates Group, Inc. All rights reserved. Celebrating A Wonderful Life is a registered trademark of Broadwater and Associates Group, Inc.