Jo Ann Claire Polk died after a short illness on Sunday, August 21, 2011, surrounded by her family’s love. She was born to Lesley and John B. Sanders on July 30, 1931, in Orange, Texas, a small town of six thousand at the time.  She attended Anderson Grammar School, a block from her home, and graduated tenth scholastically from Lutcher Stark High School. Her main interests during childhood were dancing and piano.  She studied with Mary Alice Callahan and Alma Bell Dodd, giving a solo piano recital upon graduation from high school.

She graduated from Southwestern University in Georgetown, Texas with a Bachelors Degree in Music, winning the Dean’s Prize in Piano. She was a member of Delta Delta Delta social sorority and Delta Omnicron honorary music sorority.

After graduation, she married Ralph N. (“Bob”) Greenberg of Beaumont and his job took her to live in Los Angeles, California; Provo, Utah; Chicago, Illinois; New York, New York; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Dunkirk, France; and Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. She thoroughly enjoyed living in each location and created a gracious home there for Bob and their children, Richard, Claire, and Ross.  She even taught school at the Escola Americana, the International American School in Rio de Janeiro.

After Bob died in an accident in Rio in 1974, she returned to Orange, Texas with her three teenage children.  She returned to school and received a Master of Music Education degree from Lamar University and taught music privately.

In 1978, she married Thomas E Polk and they spent twenty-five happy years together, enjoying their time in Beaumont and traveling the world.  She created a beautiful home and gardens at Tommy’s family home on Calder Avenue.  She was a wonderful gardener, a member of the Magnolia Garden Club, and a master gardener. Her daylilies, azalea, and flower arrangements were legendary.

Jo Ann and Tommy together had many years of service to Rotary International.  Jo Ann was a Paul Harris Fellow, served on the Beaumont Sister City Commission and hosted many events for the foreign exchange students.  She served as President of The Symphony of Southeast Texas and the President of the Art Museum of Southeast Texas, as well as participating in many other worthwhile causes.

After Tommy’s death in 2003, she retired from the large Polk House and moved to a patio home, always surrounded by loving family and friends. They will carry her loving memory forever.

Jo Ann was a devoted mother and grandmother who went to great lengths to enrich her children’s, grandchildren’s and great grandchildren’s lives through educational opportunities, travel and exposure to the arts.  They are forever grateful. 

Survivors include her children: son, Richard H. Green and wife, Robin, and granddaughter, Grace; daughter, Claire Saret; son, Ross N. Green, and  grandchildren, Fred Yust, Travis Yust, Roman Green, Lucy Davis, Katy Green,  and their mother, Margaret Green;  great-grandchildren, Charley Yust, Owen Yust, Noah Yust, and Olivia Yust; cousins, Florabelle Wilhite, Murray and Ethel Richardson, and Monte Richardson; nieces, Connie Gullickson, Lesley Robin; cousins, Clark Gullickson, Emery Richards, and Maya Melanchuk.

She leaves many friends whose lives were touched by her graciousness.

Her funeral service will be 10:00 a.m. Friday, August 26, 2011, at Trinity United Methodist Church, 3430 Harrison, Beaumont with interment to follow at Hillcrest Memorial Gardens, Orange under the direction of Broussard’s, 1605 North Major Drive, Beaumont. A gathering of her family and friends will be from 5:00 p.m. until 7:30 p.m. Thursday, August 25, 2011, at Broussard’s. A reception will be held at Mrs. Polk’s home following the service at the cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to The Symphony of Southeast Texas, 4345 Phelan Boulevard, Beaumont, Texas 77707; Art Museum of Southeast Texas, 500 Main Street, Beaumont, Texas 77701; or to Trinity United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 5247, Beaumont, Texas 77726.