12/10/2024
With heavy hearts, we announce the passing of our adored mother, Jo Anne Polk, 75, of Bogalusa, Louisiana, who was taken from us too soon on Saturday, December 7, 2024 at North Oaks Medical Center in Hammond, Louisiana. She brought immeasurable joy and light into our lives with her kind heart, radiant smile, and boundless love.
She is survived by her husband, Coleman William Polk, Jr.; three children: Deirdra Phelps O’Quin, Coleman William Polk, III (Tanda Corkern Polk), and Emma “Jenene” Polk Bracey; seven grandchildren: Justin Bracey, Joseph Miller, Will Polk (Kaitlin Nave Polk), Nate Bracey, Caitlyn Polk, Jake Bracey, Caden Pajak; two great grandchildren: Addison Miller, Maren Polk; three - sisters: Jean Sullivan, Elizabeth Norris, Tammy Sharp; second mother: Patricia Patterson; nieces and nephews: Lesia Norris Touchet, Patrick Jordan, Bridget Wood, Wendy Jordan Dupont, Edward Craft; numerous great nieces and nephews, and Red Hat sisters.
She was preceded in death by her mother: Maude Corrine Adams Jordan; father: Nealey Jefferson Jordan; brother: Jewell Jordan; sister: Patsy Ann Jordan; and nephew: James Craft.
Jo Anne was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, sister, and friend. She loved spending time with her family and friends. Her friendships encompassed all aspects of life, and each was special to her. From phone call chats to joint family outings, to sharing informal and formal meals and entertaining, to adventures near and far away, to helping in times of sadness and difficulty, Jo Anne was up for it all… She was the friend who would drive you to your doctor’s appointment just as freely as she would join you for lunch. She was known to drop off a bouquet of flowers at your front door just because she loved you. She knew that friendships, like gardens, take work to maintain, and she was willing to put in the effort, thus got to reap the rewards. She loved unconditionally and will be missed immensely.
All people die, but not all people live. Jo Anne lived! She packed so much life into her seventy-five years. She traveled, sipped tea, partied with her Red Hat sisters, chased her dreams, worked hard, and loved harder. She demonstrated an altruistic and selfless life by providing a smile, kind word, or compliment to everyone she met. She was the true definition of grace, dignity, integrity, and courage.
Mom would say today to give God your heart, your mind, your future. Trust in Him. Believe in Him. Everything else about your life will shift and change and move around, but His love will remain.
Funeral services will be held at Poole Ritchie Funeral Home (216 Alabama Avenue, Bogalusa, Louisiana, 70427) on Wednesday, December 11, 2024 at 2:00 pm. Rev. Lynn Martin and Bro. Jimmy Byrd will officiate the service. Burial will follow in Ponemah Cemetery, Bogalusa, Louisiana. We invite friends to join us in celebrating her life from 11:00 am until services at 2:00 pm, Wednesday at Poole Ritchie Funeral Home.
“The thread of your life becomes a tapestry of abundant colors only if it ties itself to other lives. The only way to strengthen the fabric of society is to let the threads of your life break away to let Christ, who is in us, weave around other threads.” - Corrie Boom
