WARDNA ELLEN HAWKINS POLK went home to be with the Lord on Monday, February 1, 2010. She was born in Memphis on March 11, 1929 to the late Lydia and Daniel Hawkins, Sr. She was preceded in death by her husband, Walter Polk, Sr., sister Gwendolyn Delores, Brothers, Daniel Webster, Jr., William Joseph, Sr., and Millard Lavon. Wardna attended Melrose Elementary and graduated from Booker T. Washington High School, Henderson Business College and Rust College. She was a long-time member of Greenwood C.M.E. Church, where she was baptized at age eleven. Wardna served the Lord in many roles in her youth and her commitment to service continued through out her adult life. She served as president of her Greenwood’s Missionary Society, president of the District Missionary Society, Sunday School teacher and Superintendent, Senior choir, L. B. Hawkins Circle, Usher, workshop leader, public speaker and membership in many other church and civic organizations. Wardna traveled locally, nationally and internationally as she acted out her commitment to her faith. She has received numerous awards and reconditions for her work in her church, most recently being named a Lifetime Achievement Award winner by One Church One School. Professionally, she worked at the Christian Methodist Episcopal National Headquarters as an Administrative Secretary. Wardna previously worked in MCS’s Evening Schools at Northside, Hamilton, Hillcrest and Area Vocational. She is survived by brothers Theodore (Cassandra), Garland (Joyce), Michael (Florence), sister-in-law Jackie, nephews, nieces, and many other family members and friends. In lieu of flowers, Wardna asks that contributions be made to her church to support her legacy - The Polk Project. Wardna and her family want to extend a special thanks to the doctors, nurses and staff members at the West Clinic, Methodist University Cancer Center and the Miller Family Practice. We, who remain, are very grateful that our Heavenly Father permitted our lives to be touched by Wardna Ellen Hawkins Polk. Visitation will be held at Greenwood C.M.E. Church on Saturday, February at 9 a.m. The funeral service will follow at 10 a.m. Interment will be at New Park Cemetery following the service. R. S. Lewis & Sons Funeral Home (901)526-3264

Published in The Commercial Appeal on February 4, 2010