Polly Frances Rushing Childress was born in Stewart on Feb. 6,1933 and passed away Jan. 30, 2024, at the age of 90.
She was a strong southern woman with an infectious smile, a cunning wit, and a generous portion of sass. She loved God, her daughter, her family, country music, new clothes, clean houses, white cars, and jewelry in that order. Polly’s personality was as bold as her fashion choices. She fiercely loved her family and friends and faced life’s hardships with grit and determination. She was the life of the party, lived in the moment, and left an indelible mark on everyone she met.
Polly’s roots in Stewart run deep. She spent her childhood walking the dirt roads of Stewart to her grandparents’ house for teacakes and cornbread. The oldest of 5 siblings, she loved telling stories about babysitting her youngest sister and brother and cleverly finding ways to leave them with her neighborhood friends while she took a spin on their bike.
She was a 1951 graduate of Kilmichael High School where she was a cheerleader, star basketball player, and valedictorian. With the work ethic of a steel magnolia, Polly began her career at age 16. Over the next 66 years she worked at Wells Lamont, Garan, Tabor Brothers Auto Parts, The Bank of Kilmichael, and Anticipation Antiques, all while maintaining a spotless house and perfectly manicured lawn, complete with plastic ducks and the occasional artificial flower dotting the landscape.
We will miss her vibrant personality, her pointed remarks, and most of all the love that shone through it all.
Polly was preceded in death by her parents, P.F. and Maxine Rushing, her grandparents Shelby & Connie Rushing and Charlie & Naomi Bowen, her sister Evelyn Rushing Holmes and her brothers Mickey Rushing and Ronnie Rushing. She is survived by her daughter Debbie Childress Jobe (Terry) and her sister Sandra Rushing Ballard. She is also survived by nieces Tammy Holmes Goode (Rick), Karen Holmes Perullo, Rhonda Ballard Boles (Russell) and nephew Keith Rushing (Wendy) and 6 great nieces and nephews who affectionately referred to her as Aunt Weezer.
Funeral services will be held at 12 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 3, at Kilmichael Methodist Church with burial at Reeds Chapel Cemetery in Stewart. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service. The Rev. Cindy Glazier will officiate with music provided by Langston Boles. Pallbearers will be Colby Land, Rick Goode, Keith Rushing, Russell Boles, Langston Boles and Tyler Owen.
Memorials can be made to the Reeds Chapel Cemetery Fund, PO Box 104, Eupora, MS 39744.
Oliver Funeral Home of Winona handled the arrangements. An online guestbook may be signed at www.ofhwinona.com
