Pauline (Polly) Scott Stanton, 96, widow of the late Judge John S. Stanton, and a resident of Columbia, Tennessee passed away Thursday, January 7, 2021.
Polly was born on October 3, 1924, in Corbin, Kentucky to the late Lawrence A. and Lela Parker Scott, and grew up in nearby London, Kentucky with her brother and three sisters. Having graduated from London High School and Sue Bennett Junior College, she married John (Jack) Sherman Stanton on June 20, 1942. She and Jack lived in several cities (Louisville, Cleveland, Baltimore, Jackson and Memphis) before moving to Columbia in 1959 where he continued his career as a special agent with the FBI.
Always curious about the world, people, and politics, Polly loved learning and brought her love of learning to the classroom. She received a bachelor’s degree from the University of Memphis and a master’s degree in education from Middle Tennessee State University. She taught in the Memphis City Schools for several years followed by eighteen years with the Maury County Schools at both Baker and Brown before serving seven years as Special Education Supervisor for the school system.
Polly was a member of the First United Methodist Church and taught Sunday School there. After retiring, she had more time for traveling and other activities she enjoyed. She was an active member of the Columbia Garden Club, the Cosmopolitan Book Club, and the James K. Polk Memorial Society. She also loved playing Mahjong with a group of dear friends.
She is survived by her sister, Juanita House of London, Kentucky; three children: Julia Stanton (Howard) Bragg of Arlington, Tennessee, John Scott (Jennifer) Stanton of Memphis, Tennessee, Robert Quentin (Clairena) Stanton of Dallas, Texas; six grandchildren: John (Andrea) Bragg, Henry (Laurence) Bragg, Kathryn (Brian) Cespedes, Ben Stanton, Will Stanton, Laura Elizabeth (Josh) Wolovits; as well as eleven great grandchildren: William Bragg, Charles Bragg, Kathryn Bragg, Julia Bragg, Henry Bragg, Jackson Cespedes, Sadie Cespedes, Zaher Hamid, Livia Wolovits, Hazel Wolovits, Pearl Wolovits; and many nieces and nephews.
A graveside service for the family will be conducted Saturday at Chambers Chapel Cemetery in Lakeland, Tennessee with the Reverend Cecil Bellew officiating. A celebration of life service will be held at a later date in Columbia. Oakes & Nichols Funeral Directors are assisting the family with arrangements and condolences may be extended online at www.oakesandnichols.com.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Polly’s memory to James K. Polk Memorial Society, Chambers Chapel Cemetery, or a charitable organization of choice.
