Derek Devonne Polk

Published 3:56 pm Thursday, November 16, 2023

By Holley Cochran

Funeral services were held Saturday, Nov. 11, 2023, at Pilgrim Rest Missionary Baptist Church, in Madison, for Mr. Derek DeVonne Polk, 54, who died Friday, Oct. 27, 2023, at his residence in Flora.

Rev. Matthew Canada officiated with interment following in Griffth Cemetery in Prentiss. 

Johnson Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

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Mr. Derek Polk was born in Prentiss, to the late Wyvonne and Mrs. Louise Polk. He was the youngest of four siblings.

He joined Prentiss First Missionary Baptist Church.

Mr. Polk graduated from Prentiss High School in 1987.

He enlisted in the United States Army and served two years and additional seven years in the Army Reserve. During this time, he graduated from Jackson State University with a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics, a Bachelor’s degree in Industrial Engineering at  Mississippi State University and Master’s in Business Administration from Belhaven University.

Shortly thereafter, he married his high school sweetheart and moved the family to Greenville.

The family resided in Greenville for seven years where he worked at Marconi communications as the Engineering Manager.

Derek started his 20-year career with Nissan North America in 2002 and moved to Madison. There he served as the Director of Engineering, Maintenance, Body and Stamping and Manager in Trim and Chassis.

His current position was Director of Operations-Plant/Fascia. He was dedicated to Nissan and very supportive of his staff. 

Mr. Polk was a proud member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Incorporated.

He was an avid hunter, fisher, sports fanatic, grill-master, and he loved doing yardwork. He was a die hard Steelers fan and Jackson State University Tiger Fan.

He is survived by hiswife, Dr. Latonya Polk of Flora; son, TiShawn (Christyn Polk), grandchildren, Shiloh and Phoenix Polk of Gilbert, Arizona; mother, Louise Polk of Prentiss; sisters, Arnetra Polk of Prentiss; Cynthia Hedgemon of McCalla, Alabama and Ewonia Polk of Dallas, Texas; brother, Ronald (Cathy) Taylor of Prentiss and many other relatives and friends.

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Betty Robbins Funeral services for Mrs. Betty Robbins were conducted at 1 p.m. Tuesday, July 16, 2024, at Society Hill Baptist Church with Rev. Paul Young officiating. Interment followed in the Society Hill Cemetery. Mrs. Robbins, age 75, entered into the eternal rest of her Lord early Saturday morning, July 13, 2024, at the Forrest General Hospital. Saulters Moore Funeral Home was entrusted with arrangements. The Robbins family received friends one hour before the funeral service, beginning at noon, Tuesday, at Society Hill Baptist Church. Pallbearers included Kelley LeNormand, Cymantha Shellenberger, Mason Robbins, Jenna Robbins, Frank Vice and Frank Vice Jr. Betty Robbins was born on June 6, 1949, in Magee, Mississippi to Walter R. and Margaret Jones Bishop. Mrs. Robbins was a long-time resident of Carson. She and her husband would go on to raise a happy family of six children that would multiply over the years with the addition of in-laws, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Mrs. Robbins loved the country life and will be remembered for not only growing a yard full of beautiful flowers, but also a vegetable garden of which she fed her family. An animal lover, she also had dogs, chickens and hogs over the years. Mrs. Robbins was a member of Society Hill Baptist Church. She is preceded in death by her parents, Walter R. and Margaret Bishop, her husband, Kenneth Terrell Robbins Sr; her daughter, Pamela Robbins; sisters, Patsy Holden, Margaret  Coble, Linda Hester and her brother, Richard Bishop. Her memory will forever be cherished by her daughter, Billie Jo Williamson of Prentiss; sons, Kenny Robbins Jr. (Kathy) of Carson, Mikell Robbins (Kelley) of Palestine, Texas, John Robbins (Nicole) of Sumrall, Daniel Robbins, (Tanya) of Ft. Worth, Texas; brother, Ray Bishop (Nancy) of Magee and her sister, Myrtis Craig (Ed) of Rossville, Georgia. Mrs. Robbins also leaves behind 13 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. Online condolences and guest registry are available at www.saultersmoorefuneralhome.com

Evelyn Davis Ranager

John E. Donaldson

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