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Ruth Mary Adams Polk, 94, of Elizabethton, Tenn., passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on November 20, 2023. She was the daughter of the late Dewey Adams and Katherine Proctor Adams. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her three brothers, George, Dexter and Jimmy Adams, and three sisters, Grace, Frances “Fran” and Eloise.
Mrs. Polk was a member of Central Baptist Church, Johnson City, Tenn. She worked as a minister’s wife, missionary and homemaker and was a gifted seamstress and artist.
Mrs. Polk had lived in Elizabethton, Jellico and Lawrenceburg, Tenn.; Hillsborough and High Point, N.C.; and Bogota, Colombia, South America. Everywhere she lived over the years she was able to make a simple house into a beautiful home. Ruth faithfully supported her husband in ministry and served in her church and community.
She is survived by her husband, Rev. Bob Polk; special sister, Kay Adams Gnann, Eustis, Fla.; daughter, Donna Kay Polk Depew (Dennis), Johnson City; two sons, Richard Alan Polk (Pamela), Leonardtown, Md., and Stephen Grady Polk (Kathy), Lexington, S.C.; grandchildren, Amy Hedrick (Brad), Elizabeth Depew (Tyler), Kimberly Rule (Dwain), Adam Polk (Jennifer), Stephanie Polk and Faith Polk; and 13 great-grandchildren.
The family will receive friends from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday, November 24, at Memorial Funeral Chapel, Elizabethton. Funeral services will follow at 7 p.m. with Rev. Adam Polk and Dr. Tommy Hood officiating. Music will be provided by Julie Cardwell, organist, and Amy Tapp, vocalist. Interment will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, November 25, at Happy Valley Memorial Park officiated by Rev. Dan Wood. Pallbearers will be Jared Hedrick, Benjamin Hedrick, Cody Polk, Collin Polk, Caden Rule and Rylan Rule. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Hale Community Ministries, 1301 Arney Street, Elizabethton, TN 37643. Thank you to Home Care and Amedisys Hospice and for all the friends who prayed, called and visited during her illness. Condolences may be sent to the family at our website, www.memorialfcelizabethton.com.
Memorial Funeral Chapel is serving the Polk family.