Mildred Estelle “Ms. Polly” Murphy Jenkins

Posted on May 12, 2021

Mildred Estelle “Ms. Polly” Murphy Jenkins, 92, met Jesus on May 1, 2021.

It is a homecoming she had looked forward to for many years. She entered this world in Perry on Nov. 27, 1928. She was the ninth of 11 children born to the late Ethel Magdalene (Ethington) and Riley Marion Murphy.

Shortly after birth, her uncle, Link Murphy, gave her the nickname “Pee Poe Polly.” Later shortened to “Polly,” it is the name she was known by all her life.
Ms. Polly was a 1946 graduate of Taylor County High School. There, she lettered three years in basketball under the late Coach Catharin Norman.

She went on to work in business management for Jerry Gandy and Alvin Davis. In the 1960s, Mr. Davis recruited her to run Calloway Gardens in Pine Mountain, Ga. She went on to specialize in country club management and worked throughout the Atlanta area until her retirement, at which time she returned home to Perry.

Following her retirement, she worked many local part-time jobs. She started at Winn Dixie and ended as a cafeteria substitute at Perry Primary School. She didn’t truly retire until she was well into her 80s. In her spare time, she loved hanging out with her grandchildren, and caring for her much-loved church family.

Among her additional interests were, reading, Bible study, sewing, cooking, swimming, nature and gardening.

She was a longtime member of Friendship Baptist Church and Southside Baptist Church. Except for scriptures, she cared little for the “things” in life. Her truest treasures were family, and friends she made along her way. She kept them surrounded in prayer.
She is survived by: her two daughters, Jeanne Ellen (McMullen) and son-in-law Connie Ray Mathis of Steinhatchee, and Sheila Joanna Gregg (Jim Davids) of Perry; two brothers, Randolph “Randy” (Shirley) Murphy of Perry and Hepburn “Sonny” Murphy of Perry and Raleigh, N.C.; six grandchildren, Brantly Marion (Olivia) Gregg of Perry, Lacey Rae (Melvin) Corbin of Jena, Linda Carol McDaniel of Crawfordville, Riley Raegan Mathis of Steinhatchee, Travis Alan Dees of Gainesville and Amanda (Darek) Burns of Charlotte, N.C.; eight great-grandchildren; and a host of cousins, nieces and a nephews.

She was preceded in passing by: her son, Carrol Alan Dees; sisters Vera Mae “Pat” Thomas and Lavetta Lee “Retta” Leveritt; and brothers, Lawrence Carrol “Buck” Murphy and Rufus Riley
Murphy.
Services for Mildred ‘Ms. Polly’ Murphy Jenkins will be held next today (Wednesday) at 4 p.m.  4pm, at her home church, Southside Baptist in Perry. Pastor Gary French will officiate.
“I will forever treasure the serenity of holding my Mama’s beautiful hands, and the sound of her voice,
shaking in earnest prayer. Her prayers have always surrounded me. I will cling to the comfort of them
for the rest of my life.” (J. Mathis)