Pauline “Polly” Newport was born in Pemathal, OK, north of Drumright, on July 31, 1924 to Alferd Richard Barnard and Clara Faye Laswell. She was one of 13 children. She went to school in Prue, OK where she and two of her sisters played on the same half court basketball team. She married Cecil James Newport at age 16. They were married for 70 years. Their children Glenda Gale, Sandra Kay and Bobby James were born of this union. She said she did not give up the good life to become an everyday housewife. She loved homemaking, cooking and children. They were her life. Polly joined the Baptist Church at a young age. She recalled being baptized…wading into a pond and the cold mud, snakes, frogs. She considered it a small cost to pay to gain grace and salvation. She said it only cost her the buffalo nickel she had in her pocket.

Polly married when she was sixteen on July 5th and turned 17 on July 31st. She and her husband, Cecil, went to Kansas to work in the oilfield, moved to Casa Grande, AZ before returning to Oklahoma to farm and ranch. Polly worked at Munsingwear Clothing in Hominy, OK and Emilee Mill in Pawnee, OK as a Supervisor. She was volunteer on election boards and taught Sunday School for nearly 30 years at Baptist Village upon retiring to Cleveland, OK. She was Co-Owner of Newport Pipe & Supply in Ralston, OK for 10 years.

Polly is survived by her children Glenda Gale, Sandra Kay and husband Mike and Bobby James; two sisters, Barbara Weaver and her husband Gene and Mary Ellen George; sisters-in-law Zelma Roberson, Carol Newport and Faye Barnard. She is also survived by 8 grandchildren and 20 great-grandchildren. Polly was preceded in death by her husband Cecil, granddaughter Angie and grandson Justin.

If you would like to make a donation to the John 3:16 Mission in Tulsa or at your favorite charity Polly would be pleased.