Hazel Pauline Ward Brown Adkins, known to most as Miss Polly, “left the building” from her Fawn Grove residence after a 96 year earthly pilgrimage. Polly died at 3:30 pm Monday, Sept. 21, 2026 with her beloved son, Tom, holding her hand. Polly was born in Calhoun County, MS. on October 17, 1929, the only child of the late Jessie C. Ward and Anne Vesta Patterson Ward. She graduated from Derma High School in 1947 and, afterwards, attended Beauty School in Biloxi where she became licensed as a beautician. Polly was known as a master beautician thrilling her clients with excellent work, innovation and timely styles. She was possibly one of the most consistent Elvis ambassadors in these parts! Always dressed to the “9’s” replete with perfect make-up and coordinating jewelry, “Miss” Polly made most of the 26 Tupelo Elvis Festivals where her winning ways, sterling personality and amazing congeniality welcomed graciously thousands of tourists over the decades and perpetuated her legacy as the permanent “Queen of the Festival”. She was a charter and lifetime member of the Tupelo Elvis Presley Fan Club and purchased one of the first Elvis car tags. She loved everyone equally, was strong and independent minded and fearless but everyone’s sweetheart! Polly loved nature but her greatest love was her son, Tom, a well known broadcaster, Turner Classic Movies producer, musician and all things Elvis, a passion he received from his beloved Mother! Polly loved to dance at EP Festivals, especially with her son, Tom. She prided herself in telling everyone at Elvis functions that she was Tom Brown’s Mama, a prideful Steel Magnolia. She and JR Wall, her great friend, made weekly trips to the Birthplace to check things out! Miss Polly’s legacy will be crowned with her contagious smile, her un-bounding energy, her unconditional love of others, her “golden rule” attitude, her natural beauty and presentation and her love of her family especially Tom and Lisa.
Per her request, the family will share in a private memorial service. They ask that you express your love and concern by posting your comments on her memorial page at hollandfuneraldirectors.com. Further expressions of love include the family request that any memorial donations be sent to St. Jude Children’s Hospital, 262 St. Jude Place, Memphis, Tn. 38105
Survivors include her husband, Ronnie Adkins of Fawn Grove; her son, Tom Brown and his wife, Lisa of Tupelo; her cousin, Josephine Dees Crawford and her husband, Ray of Southaven, countless Elvis fans around the world and her grandchildren through her marriage to Ronnie. She was preceded in death by her first husband, Herbert Floyd Brown in l999
Holland Funeral Directors-Tupelo is honored to be serving their friends. (662 840 5000).
