Barbara Ann McKinley Polk
Barbara Ann McKinley Polk, age 78, of Conyers, passed away peacefully at her home with family by her side February 16, 2022.
She was born July 26, 1943 in Greensboro. Barbara was raised in Monticello, by her parents, Marie Wright McKinley and Charles Petty McKinley who preceded her in death. She was a graduate of Jasper County High School and attended Tift Women’s College in Forsyth. Barbara worked various jobs throughout her life. She worked as a secretary at Jasper County High School, medical transcriptionist at DeKalb General Hospital, and professional dog groomer, owning her own business in various places she lived, including Fort Lauderdale, where she taught grooming at a pet grooming school.
Barbara was a dedicated mother. However, her first love was animals, whether a slithering snake or baby elephant, she had compassion for them all. Her enormous compassionate heart allowed great room for her daughters, step-children and grandchildren whom she treasured. She had a vivacious personality and could always make people around her laugh. She made friends easily everywhere she went.
Barbara had an immense love of music. She played piano, guitar and had a beautiful singing voice. Her home was often filled with music of all kinds and she usually knew every lyric to all her favorites. She passed her great enjoyment of music on to her daughters and grandchildren.
Barbara was a living example of strength, kindness, gratitude and humor. These traits played a huge role in her ability to be a good friend, mother and wife, relish in her victories, recover from her failures and fight multiple cancer diagnoses. Gratefully she passed these traits on to her daughters as well.
Barbara was a loving and devoted wife to her husband, Thomas Michael Polk for 41 years
Barbara is survived by her husband, Thomas Michael Polk of Conyers; daughters, Marsha DeBiaso (Ron) of Cumming and Monica Patiño (Felipe) of Social Circle; step-children, Mike Polk Jr. (Sue) of Port Charlotte, Fla., Ben Polk (Cheryl) of Conyers and Natalie Miller (Allen) of Atlanta; grandchildren, Chelsea Longwell, Kitron Longwell, Louis Longwell, Felipe Patiño, Cruz Patiño, Leo Patiño, Brannon Polk and Milly Kate Miller; great-grandchildren, Jackson Muther, Logan Muther, Owen Muther and Lyric Muther; sister-in-law, Marsha Kelly (Jimmy) of Monticello; and last but not least, Howdy the Yorkie and Summer the Bulldog.
Please join us to celebrate her life at 2 p.m., Sunday, Feb. 20, 2022 at the chapel of Jordan Funeral Home. Visitation will be from 1 p.m. until 2 p.m., Sunday, Feb. 20, 2022, at Jordan Funeral Home. Interment will be held in West View Cemetery. Rev. Wes Tanner will officiate.
The family suggests in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association (alz.org). Jordan Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Visit its website at www.jordanfuneralhomemonticello.com.