Mary Pollard

Our dear Mama, Mary Ethel (Smith) Pollard, entered the gates of Heaven, Tuesday, December 29, 2020 at the age of 92 welcomed by Our Lord and Savior himself. 

Mary was born January 12, 1928 to Charles and Nellie Smith in Willow Grove, TN.  After living with Alzheimer’s for 11 years, she is now rejoicing with her husband, Calvin, infant daughter Caleta Rane, parents, many loved ones and dear friends who have gone on before her. Mary was a member of the Church of Christ. 

Mary married Calvin Pollard in 1944 and he preceded her in death in 1975. 

Mary was way ahead of her time. In the 50’s, when most moms stayed home, she decided to get her driver’s license. The reason for that was to get a job so she would be able to attend nursing school.  She worked at Lloyd’s Café and Copeland’s Washereria to accomplish that and she was an Angel of a nurse.  Very intelligent lady who loved to read and could recite every word she read.  Raising her children, she made sure they were in church, had fun birthday parties, Halloween costumes and that Christmas was exciting.  She didn’t believe in roasting a turkey at the holidays, always a big hen! She loved the Oklahoma Sooners and was a proud Tennessean! 

Prior to her retirement, Mary began her nursing career at the old Shawnee City Hospital as a delivery nurse.  From there, she went to the newly built Shawnee Mission Hill Hospital. After working there for several years, she worked in private practice for Dr. Frances Davis in Shawnee for numerous years and retired from Shawnee Estates at age 79.  Her patients meant the world to her and she made sure they received the best of care.  While working at Sunset Estates, she missed numerous family holidays so she could be there for her patients.  Especially for those whose families didn’t visit.  She did not have a selfish bone in her body.  She truly looked out for everyone else. 

Mary and Calvin raised their surviving children in Tecumseh, OK.  Son Adrian and wife Ramonda of Orlando, OK, son Larry and wife Marty of Elk Grove, CA, and daughter Vicki and husband George Chase of Carrollton, TX.  She is survived by grandsons Michael Sean and Justin Pollard, Christopher and Jeremy Pollard, Doug and Todd Drake and granddaughters, Kenna Fox and Heidi Rougeau.  She is survived by great-grandchildren, Jennifer Pollard, Austin Pollard, Katie Pollard, Logan Drake, Colton Drake, Gavin Drake, Kennedy Drake, Luke Rougeau, Ben Rougeau, Mary (Her namesake) Rougeau, Augustus Pollard, Alistair Pollard, Jaxon O’Neal, Kali O’Neal, Aspyn Fox and only surviving sibling brother Don Smith of Norman, OK, and many nieces and nephews.  She has many “other children” who survive her, and she would want it mentioned that she loved Bruce and Brian Walck like her own. Mary and Calvin opened their home and hearts to many children. 

A Celebration of Life Service will be 2:00 p.m., Friday, January 22, 2021 at Cooper Funeral Home Chapel with her son, Reverend Adrian Pollard officiating. She will be laid to rest next to her husband at Granite Cemetery in Granite, OK at a later date.

The family has designated the Alzheimer’s Association, Oklahoma Chapter, 6601 Broadway Ext., Suite 120, Oklahoma City, OK 73116 as appropriate for memorials.