Polly Ong Ingram

Polly Ong Ingram, 88, of Raleigh, NC died September 14, 2017. She was born in Rio Tinto, Spain on January 15, 1929 to John Nathan and Lucille Bristol Ong. She grew up in Northern Rhodesia, now Zambia, in Central Africa. At age eight, she was sent away to boarding school in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe and then at twelve to school in Johannesburg. She graduated from Mills College in Oakland, CA with a degree in Home Economics.

After graduation, Polly took a position with the US Army Special Services and was sent to Germany where she met her future husband, William (Bill) M. Ingram. They were married in Kenansville, NC, Bill’s hometown, and then settled in Raleigh. Polly started teaching at St. Michael’s Kindergarten in 1963 and retired in 1997.

Polly was an accomplished seamstress and avid tennis player and enjoyed rustic, no frills traveling. In all, she circled the globe visiting over 100 countries, all 7 continents.

Polly was predeceased by her husband, William M. Ingram and her brother, John Nathan Ong, Jr. She is survived by her sons, Christopher W. Ingram (Susan) of Raleigh, Gregory J. Ingram of Tampa, FL and her daughter, Jennifer Ingram Maddrey (John) of Raleigh. Polly is also survived by her 7 grandchildren whom she affectionately referred to as “the flawless ones”, Michael R. Ingram (Sarah) of Raleigh, Elizabeth B. Ingram of St. Louis, MO, Stephen R. Ingram of Alexandria, VA, William F. Maddrey of Chapel Hill, NC, Virginia A. Maddrey of Arlington, VA, Emma C. Maddrey of Raleigh, and Caleb J. Ingram of Tampa, FL; great-grandson, Charles Koury Ingram; Sister, Sandra Ong of Blairstown, IA and brother Richard A. Ong of Evanston, WY.

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to The Nature Coservancy, 4245 North Fairfax Drive, Arlington, VA 22203.

A memorial service will be held at Christ Episcopal Church, 120 Edenton St, Raleigh on Monday, September 18, 2014 at 1:00pm. The interment of the ashes in the Church Memorial Garden will follow the service.

Arrangements by Brown-Wynne Funeral Home. Condolences may be made at BrownWynne.com.