Christell Polk

--- Page 1 --- Heaven Opened Its Gates for Mother Christell Polk Embraced Life on Earth June 23, 1914 Embraced Life In Heaven July 25, 2005 Service Held: Monday, August 1, 2005 11:00 A.M. Greater McGlothen Memorial Temple COGIC 550 Black Diamond Street Pittsburg, California 94565 Eulogist Elder Travis D. Herron, Pastor ~ Remembering Our Beloved ~ Portraits of Precious Memories The Order of Service ~ Pallbearers --- Page 2 --- Remembering our Beloved Mother Christell Polk "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Finally there is laid up for me the crown of rightousness, which the Lord, the rightous judge, will give to me on that day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved his appearing. " II Timothy 4:7-8 Christell Polk, daughter of Charles and Lela Finnie, was born in Fate, Texas, on June 23, 1914. She graduated from Gibbons High School in Paris, Texas, and later went on to pursue her aspiration of becoming an accomplished cosmetologist while living in Dallas, Texas. She earned a diploma from the acclaimed Madame C. I. Walker College of Beauty Culture, October 20, 1944. She accepted Jesus Christ as her personal Savior, uniting with Hospitality Church of God in Christ in Paris, Texas. She met and married Elder Henry G. L. Kirven in Paris, Texas. This union was blessed with one son. After Elder Kirven's death she later married Leonard Kennedy Polk. This union was blessed with four daughters and one son. Sister Polk continued her spiritual walk with the Lord when she moved to Northern California in 1946. A founding member of McGlothen Memorial Temple Church of God in Christ in Pittsburg, CA, she was recently recognized for 60 years of dedicated and outstanding service to the church. She was the matriarch of five generations and was commended by Contra Costa County, CA, for serving as a foster parent for 35 years. Mother Polk was an avid homemaker and provided her children with a Godly and nurturing home. Mother Polk hosted numerous gatherings at her home for holidays, weekly church activities, and family celebrations. --- Page 3 --- Pallbearers Demetrius Kirven, Lester Molecue Art Young She served faithfully and provided rides, prayed with and tended to the sick, cleaned the church building, cut the grass, and prepared dinner for the pastors and elders visiting her home. Her children were right there along side helping and assisting their dedicated loving mother. Mother Polk departed this life on Monday, July 25, 2005, peacefully. She was preceded in death by her mother and father, Lela and Charles Finnie; sister, Ruby Lee Thompson; brothers, Grady Finnie and Orsby Finnie; husbands; Elder Henry Kirven, Sr., Leonard Polk, Sr. and James "Pops" Evans. She leaves to cherish her precious memory, Uncle Cumby Sims (Bessie) of Salinas, CA; four daughters: Linda Joyce Lewis (John), Diane Carmel Robinson (Raymond) of Palo Alto, CA; Beverly Yvonne LeMay of Los Angeles, CA; and Deborah Jean Polk; two sons, Henry Kirven, Ir. (Judy), and Leonard Polk, Ir. She also raised one foster daughter, Latisha Barnett and two foster sons, Richard Schenck and Kenneth Carruthers. She served in a motherly role to many extended family members including John Wayne Elder, Gradie Crowe, and Billie Sullivan. Mother Polk leaves 20 grandchildren, 12 great- grandchildren, four great-great-grandchildren, and a host of family members and friends. In this earthly existence, God richly blessed Mother Polk with longevity of life. She fought a good fight and remained steadfast in her devotion to the Lord. In her final moments, she reached out and took the hand of Christ and will forever abide in his kingdom. Mother Dear, Mama, Nana, you will be greatly missed. --- Page 4 --- Procession Scripture R NE Remember Dervice Mother Pastor Dan Slaughter * have fought the good fight, rist, Bay Point, CA Finally there is laid up for me the rightous judge, will giv Minister and Family but also to all who have. 178 Christell Polk, daughter ol Deacon Robert Anderson 13-18 --1. 22/ . Mother Bessie Wilson Prayer Supt. I. C. Mannings Melody of Mother Polk's Favorite Songs ... Sis. Linda Lee Evangelist Debra Martin Poem.. "I'm a Soldier" Christell Lewis Acknowledgement of Condolences Missionary Naomi Pettiford Resolutions) Missionary Dorothy Herron Obituary read by. Missionary Juanita Moore Musical Selection Terry Blinks Expressions. (I minute, please) Family and Friends Sermonic Solo Terry Blinks Words of Comfort Pastor Travis Herron A Glimpse 'til Glory. Dan Scales' Funeral Services, Directing Recessional Interment to Follow --- Page 5 --- Jamar Johnson Reginald Johnson, Ir. Roshaun Johnson Active Pallbearers Demetrius Kirven, Ir. Lester Molecue Art Young Honorary Pallbearers Demetrius Kirven, Sr. John Lewis Kalin Lee, Sr. Raphael Robinson Lorenzo Lee Raymond Robinson Corey Lewis Reginald M. LeMay Charles Finnie Interment Memory Gardens Memorial Park 2011 Arnold Industrial Way Concord, California 94524 The Order of Service ~ Pallbearers