Mary Joyce Saulters Polk, daughter of Ira Vernon and Lillie Mae Saulters, passed away
peacefully at her home in Starkville on December 31st. She was born in Prentiss, Mississippi
on October 27, 1937 and is preceded in death by her husband, Hal, of 60 years, her son
Mark Christopher Polk and her grandson Joshua Michael Black.
She is survived by her daughter, Lynne Polk Black; son, Stephen Hal Polk and wife, Melissa;
grandchildren, Mark Christopher Polk, Jr., Anne Barrett Polk Hazard and husband, Matt,
Laura Polk Phillips and husband, Mason, Maris Lynne Black and Elizabeth Anne Polk; great
grandsons, Foster Phillips, James Russell Hazard and Gordon Stevens Hazard.
Joyce graduated from Prentiss High School and received her undergraduate degree in
Education from Mississippi College and a Master of Education from Mississippi State
University. A retired administrator in the Starkville public school system for over 30 years, she
was well respected by her colleagues and served as a mentor to young teachers.
In lieu of flowers and cards, memorials may be made to the First United Methodist Church in
Starkville.
