Retha Maxine Polk

COLUMBIA – Retha Maxine Taylor Polk, affectionately known as “Grandma” and “Nanny Polk,” was born August 28, 1939, to the late Cleave Taylor and the late Jessie Lee Mack Taylor in Shreveport, LA. Retha accepted Christ at an early age and joined the Pleasant Grove Baptist Church. She received her formal education and graduated from Walnut Hill High School in Shreveport, LA in the Class of 1959.

Retha met the love of her life, Staff Sargent Lawrence Jackson Polk, and on January 6, 1961, they were united in holy matrimony. They were married for fifty-one (51) years. Being a Military wife, she was blessed to travel extensively in the United States, as well as overseas. To this union they were blessed with four wonderful children, all born in different states. She dearly loved her family and was always happy to have them around. She was a very loving stay at home wife until moving to Columbia, SC.

After moving to Columbia, she was employed at Fort Jackson mess hall and Kroger Grocery Store, before caregiving at Kindercare Childcare Center. These were some of her best working years. She retired in 1986 but spoke fondly of Kindercare for many years to come.

She attended Daniel Circle Chapel at Fort Jackson. She was a Christian who talked the talk and walked the walk. Retha was very active in the Woman of Excellence women's ministry, and supported church activities, including community outreach. She especially enjoyed Bible Study and the many church family trips.

Retha must have believed an idle mind is the devil’s workshop. She loved traveling to visit family; family dinners, especially at Golden Corral; and pretty much any reason for her family to be together. She enjoyed reading the bible and watching Shepherd's Chapel daily. She could always be found doing some of her many hobbies: sewing; crocheting; embroidery; and arts & crafts, especially with children, just to name a few. She was also staunch fan of Facebook and Youtube Because she was a kidney transplant recipient, she always made sure to talk to and support anyone that would be having or had an organ transplant.

She returned to God on Friday, May 20, 2022, at the MUSC Health Columbia Medical Center Downtown Hospital. Retha was preceded in death by: her parents, Cleave & Jessie Lee Taylor; Husband Lawrence Jackson Polk; Siblings Betty Jones, Cleave Taylor, Jr., Charles Taylor, Steve Taylor, Gordon Taylor, Malinda Calloway, & Norman Taylor.

She leaves to cherish her memory and legacy; three daughters, Ambra G. Reedom, Deborah W. Garrett, & Tangular J. Kelley, all of Columbia, SC; one son, Warren J. Polk, of Spokane, WA; four Grand Children: Brianna Reedom, Dr. Dawnyle Kelley, Christopher Kelley, & Sammie Garrett; six Great-Grand Children: twins-Dyshawn & Keyshawn Ragsdale, Diceon Hayward, Briceon Hayward, Kceon Jones, & Zayvion Jones; three siblings: Clydia Montgomery of Compton, CA; Cynthia Duck of Los Angeles, CA; & Robert Taylor of Inglewood,CA; an Aunt-in-law, Channie Winters, Oakland, MS; several In-laws, and a host of nephews, nieces, relatives, and friends.

Funeral service will be held at 10:00 a.m. Friday, June 3, 2022, at Daniel Circle Chapel, Ft. Jackson, with burial in Ft. Jackson National Cemetery at noon. Visitation will be 4-7 p.m. on Thursday at Dunbar Funeral Home, Devine Street Chapel.

Memories may be shared at www.dunbarfunerals.com.