Mary A. Polk Short Stewart, age 83, of Columbia, TN passed away Thursday, January 4, 2024 at Maury Regional Medical Center in Columbia, TN. She was a native of Cerra Gordo, TN, retired from Columbia Camper Sales, and a member of Royal Heights Baptist Church. She was a self-taught pianist and learned by using lessons by mail and quickly became a master player and served as Church Pianist for over 61 years at Meadow View Baptist Church, Northside Baptist Church, and finally at Royal Heights Baptist Church. One of her favorite hymns to play was How Great Thou Art. She also enjoyed spending time attending church and playing cards and games with her family.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Bro. E. J. and Irene Kaye Alexander Polk; one sister, Lois Faye Fox; one great-grandchild, River Lynn Franks; and mother-in-law, Carolyn Stewart.
She is survived by her husband, Mark Stewart of Columbia, TN; two daughters, Cathy Haislip (R. M.) of Lawrenceburg, TN, and Linette Box of Summertown, TN; one step-daughter, Talina Follis of Spring Hill, TN; one brother, Wayne Polk (Sandy) of Alamo, GA; one sister, Betty Webb of Lawrenceburg, TN; one brother-in-law, Gary Fox of Ethridge, TN; four grandchildren, Wesley Franks of Lawrenceburg, TN, Jarred Franks of Lawrenceburg, TN, Kyle Wilburn of Ethridge, TN, and Beth Townsend (Garry) of Leoma, TN; one step-grandchild, Dessie Follis of Spring Hill, TN; fourteen great-grandchildren, Kylie Wilburn, Madison Wilburn, Skyler Wilburn, Karli Wilburn, Abbie Wilburn, Jordyn Smith, Ashlyn Martin, Tyler Martin, Stella Townsend, Avery Franks, Aliyah Vaughn, Hunner Franks, Alyssa Franks, and Keith Franks; and two great-great-grandchildren, Jayce Michael and Ruthlyn Michael. Those serving as pallbearers will be R.M. Haislip, Jarred Franks, Wesley Franks, Kyle Wilburn, Garry Townsend, Jordyn Smith, and Tyler Martin.
Arrangements are being handled by Neal Funeral Home, 231 N. Military Avenue, Lawrenceburg, Tennessee. The family will receive friends from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM Sunday, January 07, 2024, at Neal Funeral Home. Funeral services will be conducted at Royal Heights Baptist Church at 1:00 PM Monday, January 08, 2024, with Audie Bogus officiating. Interment will follow at Lawrence County Memorial Gardens in Lawrenceburg, TN.
