Submitted by Gerald & Tammy Westmoreland
Pollye Ann George Anthony, 87, died peacefully at home on Saturday, August 15, 2015, after an extended illness. She was born on October 23, 1927, in Winona, MS and was married for 57 years to Alton Earl "Tony" Anthony, until his death in 2004. She would say her life was blessed by God, and many others would say she was a blessing to them. She was our mom, our Mimi, and the sweet and sassy matriarch of our family.
She and her sailor married at Jackson's Northside Baptist Church in 1946, in what later became the Kolb's Cleaners building. Dad liked to say he'd been in hot water ever since. Pollye worked as a secretary while Tony went to Millsaps to get his business degree. She didn't work outside the home after he graduated, but became a mother and continued her role as supporter in everything her husband and family did for the rest of her life. She was thrilled to help others' realize their dreams, and had a "how can we make that happen?" attitude about every new venture her loved ones undertook. Her children were the first to raise their hands at church and school, shouting, "My parents will do that" so she became the PTA president, or willing volunteer, ad infinitum, with (almost) no complaint. When grandchildren came on the scene, Mimi was also as available as she could be. Even in her final days, she'd ask at every turn, "What can I do?"
The Anthonys were long-time active members of Woodland Hills Baptist Church, where Pollye served for years as cradle roll director, WMU president, VBS worker, and Tony's assistant in teaching adult Sunday school and many discipleship classes. They began most days praying for the SBC missionaries using the Open Windows devotional, despite the children's giggles as they attempted to pronounce the foreign missionaries' names. One year they did without a new car to give sacrificial support to a missionary family, and they loved to testify to God's faithfulness as that old car kept running all year.
Pollye was a long-standing member of the Colonial Bridge Club, and a community volunteer in numerous pledge drives. She is predeceased by her parents, James Thomas George and Linda Sharron George; and siblings, Dorothy Evelyn George, and James S. George. She is survived by her children, Tommy (Anna), Rusty, and Vicki Prather, (Tom); eight grandchildren and their spouses; and four great-grandchildren.
The celebration of her life will be at Woodland Hills Baptist Church on Tuesday, August 18 at 2:00 p.m. Visitation will be from 1:00 - 1:45 p.m. Interment will follow at Antioch Baptist Church cemetery in Prentiss, MS. Sebrell Funeral Home is handling all arrangements. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the charity of your choice or to Deaconess Hospice ministries, whom the family would like to thank for their Christ-like support. Special thanks to her nurse, Kevin Tucker, for his sacrificial availability and longsuffering assistance.
Clarion-Ledger, 18 Aug 2015