Born in Springfield, Missouri on July 7, 1924, Polly Anna McNabb passed from this life to her everlasting reward with her Savior Jesus Christ on December 12, 2011. The world became an emptier place on that day. Polly was raised during the depression and war years, but never let that dampen her extraordinary and prodigious spirit. She had a thirst for knowledge and education that led her from teaching in a two room school house in Marshfield, Missouri to being awarded an honorary Doctor of Letters Degree in May of 1992 from the California Baptist College at Riverside.
Polly was a prolific writer and her love for the written word blossomed during her career as the Associate Editor for the California Baptist Convention in Fresno, California where she lived for over 60 years and wrote regular editorials and essays covering everything from the humorous side of the Christian walk to addressing the serious hurdles that believers face everyday. Her words so poignant that one can read articles she wrote 30 years ago and find wisdom and guidance appropriate for life today.
Polly lived her life by the scriptural maxim of doing to others what she would want done to her and from the love and respect she enjoyed from all who were fortunate enough to have crossed her path. It’s easy to see that Polly’s life confirmed the truth of those words she held so dear.
Polly was preceded in death by her beloved mother, Opha McNabb and her father, Everett Reed McNabb. She is survived by a brother, Everett Reed McNabb, Jr. of Kirkwood, Missouri; a sister, Kathleen Lucille Ricard of North Port, Florida; and five loving nephews, Mark and Randy Ricard and Mike, Terry and Scott McNabb.
Though we grieve because this precious soul has been taken from us, we rejoice in the knowledge that we will be reunited with her again in the Paradise our Lord has gone to prepare for all who believe in Him. The Paradise Polly Anna McNabb now calls home.
Graveside services for Ms. McNabb will be at 1:00 p.m., Saturday, December 17, 2011 in Cedar Bluff Cemetery, Greene County, Missouri. The family will receive friends from 11:00 a.m. until 12:30 p.m., Saturday in Greenlawn Funeral Home North.