Olive Hill Cemetery

Rose Marie Kling Polk

July 12, 1917 - September 27, 2004NS | 35A

Elder LeRoy Polk

July 12, 1917 - September 27, 2004NS | 35A

Biography

OBITUARY: Arkansas Democrat Gazette, 29 Sep 2004
Rose Marie Kling Polk died on September 27th, 2004 at the home of her daughter, Emily Rose Warford, 3227 Fairplay Rd., Benton, AR at the age of 87 years 2 months and 15 days. The oldest of eleven children, she was born on July 12, 1917 at Vimy Ridge in Saline Co., AR to Aberhart Phillip Kling and Icey Roberta Spann Kling. In 1935 Rose Marie became one of the first students at the Missionary Baptist Seminary in Little Rock under the teaching of Eld. Ben M. Bogard.

On September 3, 1939, Rose Marie Kling married LeRoy Polk at Vimy Ridge Missionary Baptist Church, Saline Co., AR. It was the first Sunday in September, Eld. J. L. Tucker was the officiating pastor. After the invitation hymn at the close of the service, Bro. Tucker announced that there was some unfinished business. Rose and LeRoy came forward to get married. So began 65 years of faithful service as an ideal pastor’s wife, Sunday School and youth teacher, and beloved example for believers.

Bro. And Sis. Polk ministered among the churches in the fellowship of the American Baptist Association. Their service included the Missionary Baptist churches of Liberty, New Haven, Olive Hill, Pilgrim Rest, Collegeville, all of the Little Rock area; Vimy Ridge Missionary Baptist Church of Alexander, AR, Wall Chapel in Lee Co., AR, Philadelphia in Monroe Co.,AR, West Crossett and South Crossett in Crossett, AR; Unity in Camden, AR; Poyen in Poyen, AR; Sulphur Springs at Hot Springs, AR; twice at Ten Mile Missionary Baptist Church near Lonsdale, AR; Landmark Missionary Baptist Church of Simpsonville, SC; and Tyndale Park Missionary Baptist Church of Benton, AR.

Rose Marie is survived by her husband of 65 years, LeRoy Polk of 15,001 No. Sardis Rd., Mabelvale, AR; a son, Roy Lee Polk and wife, Dori Jean of Mabelvale; a daughter, Emily Rose Polk Warford and husband, Darrell of Benton; twelve grandchildren, Angela Witherspoon and husband Chris, Karen Polk, Eric Warford, Rachel Marcengill, Aaron Polk and wife Jessica, Shelli Warford, Keeli Warford, Brock Warford, Ashli Warford, Elizabeth Rose Polk, Darren Warford and Phillip Polk; four great grandchildren, Jennifer Witherspoon, Ben Witherspoon, Alex Witherspoon, and Madison Lea Polk. She is also survived by three brothers, Tommy Kling and Jimmy Kling of Monticello, AR, and Lewis Kling of Batesville, AR; three sisters, Lavada Gambill of Galveston, TX; Ruby "Jennie" Beggs of Little Rock, and Anita Faye Harris of Rogers, AR.; as well as a host of friends and family, especially with the Missionary Baptist churches where LeRoy and Rose Polk ministered. Besides her parents, two brothers, Robert and Wesley Kling, and two sisters, Elsie Lorene Pruitt and Emma Cathrine Kling, have already gone to be with our Lord.

Burial will follow this service at Olive Hill Cemetery, Chicot Rd., Little Rock, AR. The family will receive friends at Ashby Funeral Home in Benton from 4 - 6 pm on Wednesday, September 29th, otherwise they will be at the family home, 15001 No. Sardis Rd., Mabelvale. Sis. Rose’s family requests that any memorials be made to the Missionary Baptist Seminary and Institute, Little Rock, AR.