Pauline (Polly) Parker Gay Bennett, 98, passed on Saturday, Jan. 9, 2021.
She was born May 13, 1922, at the Yellow House Farm in Chester, Va. to John Green and Lottie Leigh (Parker) Gay.
Polly met her future husband, Caldwell Tucker Bennett, in 1942 when he was stationed at Fort Lee near Petersburg, Virginia. He was later transferred to Tinker Field in Oklahoma City where they became the first couple to be married in the new base chapel on Feb. 18, 1943.
Polly lived in Batesville as a homemaker for 72 years. She was of the Baptist faith and an active member of the First Baptist Church. She loved reading, cooking, her church, needlework, hosting friends in her home, and most of all she loved her family. Polly was a loving wife, mother, great-grandmother, great-great-grandmother, aunt, and friend whose memory will forever be cherished by her loved ones.
Polly is survived by her daughters, Nancy Hilliard (Mike), Gay King (Terry), and Becky Singleton (Steve); grandchildren, Polly Johnston, Leigh Luster, Michelle Hargrove, Amanda King, and Paul Singleton; nine great-grandchildren; and three great-great-grandchildren.
She is preceded in death by her loving husband of 47 years, Caldwell Tucker Bennett; her parents; siblings, John Howard Gay, Marion Thompson, Margaret Burgess, Elizabeth Barker, and Sara Foy Eanes; and grandson, Bennett King.
“We would like to extend a special thank you to the staff of Eagle Mountain Assisted Living for the love and care given to our mother. Memorials may be made to the Lottie Moon Missions at First Baptist Church of Batesville.”
Services are entrusted to Willis Funeral Service. A celebration of life will be held at a later date.
