PLACE OF SERVICE: Galilee M.B. Church Carthage MS

DATE OF SERVICE: Saturday, 10/ 29/2022 @ 11:00 a.m.

INTERMENT: Galilee Cemetery, Carthage, MS

VISITATION: Friday10/28/2022 at 9:00a.m.- 7:00p.m.

Mrs. Mary Louise Dennis Polk, affectionately known as "JoJo”, was born on May 30, 1936 to Mr. William Clay Dennis and Mrs. Ophelia Dorothy Ree Greer Dennis in Carthage, Mississippi. On Friday afternoon, October 21, 2022 at 12:23p.m. JoJo Polk's spirit evolved to a place we can only dream about in this life. She received her education in the Leake County School System where she graduated from Harmony Vocational School in 1953 as Valedictorian of her class at the age of sixteen. She continued her education at her beloved Alcorn State University (known as Alcorn A&M College at that time) in Lorman, Mississippi where she was a proud member of the ASU Braves basketball team. At Alcorn, she received her Bachelor of Science degree in Health and Physical Education. Additional studies were completed at the University of Southern Mississippi and Mississippi State University. One of her proudest moments was when she was inducted into the Alcorn State University Sports Hall of Fame for her basketball prowess.

At an early age, JoJo was baptized in her Uncle Joe Greer's pond and became a member of her beloved Galilee M.B. Church. She remained a faithful member until her transition where she served most recently as Secretary of the Galilee Cemetery Club. In her earlier years, she was president of the Pastor's Aid Society and church Financial Secretary. She used her talents in many areas of her community serving as a Poll Worker for Precinct 5 in Leake County, Math Tutor for the children in the community and as a committee member of the Harmony Recreation Club. JoJo served as Treasurer of the Harmony Homecoming Committee for several years until her health began to wane and took immense pride in her accounting abilities. She was committed to actions which helped others, especially children whom she dearly loved. JoJo had many hobbies which she enjoyed immensely such as gardening, fishing, growing flowers, playing Bid Whist, and watching sports.

JoJo served for 34 years as a teacher in the Leake County School System having taught at Harmony Vocational School, Murphy High School, and South Leake Elementary and Jr. High School. She was well known as a great Math teacher and a tremendous basketball and track coach. Among her honors and awards are Who's Who Among America's Teachers, and the Award for Dedication and Service from the South Leake Elementary School System in 1991. JoJo described her most rewarding job as coaching Girl's Basketball from 1957-1970. She was such a phenomenal coach that Coach Lafayette Stribling asked her to take his boys team to the North Half District playoffs in the late 7os. Coach Stribling was coaching both the girls and the boys teams and both were in the playoffs at the same time. He went to coach the girls and sent JoJo to coach the boys. As you can imagine, both the boys and girls teams won the playoffs!!

When she had made her point in any family discussion, "Miss Mary" would make the statement "I'm done." "Miss Mary" departed this earthly life for her heavenly home on Friday, October 21, 2022. And if she could speak today, she would say "I'm done." She was predeceased by her parents Mr. William Clay Dennis and Mrs. Ophelia Dorothy Ree Greer Dennis; brothers Joe Levaughn Dennis and Percy Anderson ("Boy Baby") Dennis; and one son, Richard Fitzgerald Polk; brothers-in-law, Ira Polk, Lige Rogers, and Grady McMillan; sisters-in-law, Bessie Polk, Rachel Juanita Jerdon, Rose Marie Hardy, and Elvenia Hutchins Dennis. She leaves to cherish beautiful memories, a loving and devoted husband of 66 years, Richard A. Polk (Carthage, MS); three children, Clay Charles Polk (Carthage, MS); Phyllis (Clint) Johnson (Jackson, MS); and Beverly (Johnny) Young (Meridian, MS); eight grandchildren, William (Tiffany) Johnson, Trey (Dana) Johnson, Moneka Polk, Christopher Polk, Darian Young, Tiffany Ashley, Courtney York, and Jonathan Young; twelve great grandchildren; one sister, Vernis (Moochie) Green; two very special nieces and nephews, Shelia Green, Kendrick (Evelyn) Green, Nancy (Gary) Crosby, Joe L. Dennis, Jr.; special in-laws, Norris (Auwilda) Polk; Callie (Ralph) Marshall; Evelyn McMillan; John (Mary) Polk; Gerald (Iola) Polk; Robert (Sandy) Preston and a host of other nieces, nephews, relatives and friends who were blessed to have known her.