Mrs. Vivian Jean Polk, widow of Harry Edward Polk, passed away peacefully under the care of hospice on February 27, 2024, at Brookdale Assisted Living in Rock Hill, South Carolina, at the age of 92. She was born January 17, 1932, in Union County, South Carolina to Clearman Grant Garner and Nellie Catherine Smith Garner. Vivian graduated high school in 1949 from Kelly Pinckney High School in Union County. From there, she went to get her nursing degree from the Columbia School of Nursing in Columbia, South Carolina. While in Columbia, she met the love of her life, Harry. After they were married on March 20, 1955, they lived in many places in the United States, such as Kansas, Mississippi, Georgia, Alaska, Louisiana, Tennessee, Hawaii, and other states, along with being stationed in Germany, due to Harry’s service in the United States Army. During their marriage, they were blessed with four children, Kathy, Russell, Richard, and Roger. Upon their return to Colleton County, they made their home on Ulmer Lake Drive in Walterboro, until Harry’s passing in 2019. Since his passing, Vivian had resided at Harbor Chase and Brookdale Assisted Living in Rock Hill, South Carolina. Mrs. Vivian was a truly dedicated, faithful member of Doctor’s Creek Baptist Church for almost 40 years. During that time, she played the church organ as long as she was able. She could also play hand-clapping piano hymns completely from memory. She was a member of the Believer’s Sunday School Class, as well as a member and an officer in the Women’s Missionary Union Organization. She helped wherever needed each year at Vacation Bible School many times leading the crafts. She was amazing at turning almost any object into a Santa. She created and gave away her beautiful crafts as prizes for church events or donated them to raise money for Youth Fund Activities and gave many to family and friends. Helping the create Christmas Fruit Baskets for church shut-ins was another of her favorite activities. She always had a big, beautiful smile that warmed your heart, and she never grew weary of doing good. She also was involved in the Gideon’s Women’s Auxiliary. She is survived by her four children, Kathy Polk Rozelle (Cal), Russell Polk (Kathy), Richard Polk, and Roger Polk (Amy); and her grandchildren, Grant Polk, Brantley Tinker (Emily) and his son Garner, and Amanda Hiott (Ethan) and their children, Lane, Magnolia, and Bentley Belle. She is also survived by her three siblings, CW Garner, Layton Garner, and Reverend Joyce Ann Murphy; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; and her sister, Gerry Brauning. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions be made in Vivian’s memory to: Doctor’s Creek Baptist Church, Post Office Box 2, Walterboro, South Carolina 29488; or to: Gideon’s International at The Gideons International Processing Center, Post Office Box 97251, Washington, DC 20090-7251. Funeral services will be held 12 noon Saturday, April 20, 2024, at Doctor’s Creek Baptist Church, 126 Doctors Creek Road, Walterboro, followed by a short private burial. The family will receive friends following the services in the church social hall. Arrangements By: The Brice W. Herndon And Sons Funeral Homes And Crematory, Walterboro Chapel, 1193 Bells Highway, Walterboro, South Carolina, 29488. Visit the guestbook online at: www.briceherndonfuneralhome.com.
