Elaine Thompson Pollard

Elaine Thompson Pollard, 77, devoted wife, mother and grandmother, left this earth May 18, 2016. She was preceded in death and has rejoined her beloved late husband of 57 years Forrest Kirby Pollard; her parents Laura Law Thompson and George Clay Thompson; and brother George Clay Thompson, Jr. She is survived by her daughters, Susan Shannon Pollard and her husband, David Mettler and Laura Beth Pollard and her husband, Matthew Enderle; two grandchildren, Daniel and Madeline, all of the Richmond, Va. area; and one sister, Dorothy Thompson Weathersby of Dalton, Ga.

Born April 5, 1939, she was beloved by many and a true American patriot. She was passionate about her work as a member and Regent of the Bermuda Hundred Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR). Just last summer, she successfully led an effort that urged Richmond area residents to fly the American flag during the UCI Road World Championships bike race to welcome over 1,000 of the world’s finest cyclists and share the best of Richmond with a global audience. She was active in DAR, BAMM Lions Club, Chesterfield's Citizen's Academy Alumni Association and the Community Emergency Response Team Program, and a dedicated member of Ramsey Memorial United Methodist Church. She felt an obligation to make Richmond better for all of its citizens. Always impeccably dressed even when going to the gym, she raised her two beautiful daughters both of whom remained very close to her. A perfect day for Mrs. Pollard was reading a book at the beach with her family around her.

A native of Franklin, Tenn., where she attended nearby Vanderbilt University, Mrs. Pollard continued to be very proud of her hometown and held close relationships with her family members and friends with some friendships lasting more than 70 years. She met her husband when she attended Franklin High School. They raised their family in several different locations before landing in the Richmond area in 1977. 


Mrs. Pollard finished her working career in the Department of Anatomy at MCV. In retirement, her world grew larger. She was an extraordinary networker and coordinator of projects and was willing and eager to embrace new technology and master new challenges. She was clever, vibrant, kind, giving and would light up a room. She never met a stranger and would go out of her way to make you feel comfortable. Most importantly, she deeply loved her husband, daughters and grandchildren. In 77 short years, she made the world a better place through her heartfelt actions, friendships and contagious smile. She truly touched people’s lives and was loved by so many.

Visitation will be Tuesday, May 24, 2016, from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. at Woody Funeral Home, Huguenot Chapel, 1020 Huguenot Rd., Midlothian, Va. The funeral service will be Wednesday, May 25, 2016, at 11 a.m. at Ramsey Memorial United Methodist Church, 5900 Hull Street Rd., Richmond, Va. The interment will be private. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Sight Program for the BAMM Lions Club at P.O. Box 35554, Richmond, Va. 23235 or the Ramsey Memorial Methodist Building Program at 5900 Hull Street Rd., Richmond, Va. 23224.