Obituary for Martella Pollard (Williams)
"My flesh and my heart faileth: but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion forever." (Psalm 73:26)
The chapters of life were opened for Martella Williams Pollard when the late Willie Williams and Annie McWilliams were blessed with their fourth child born July 29, 1937, in Enfield, North Carolina. She was reared in a loving family of 8 other siblings and was a member of Pleasant Hill Missionary Baptist Church where she found her spiritual belief and understanding of God's word.
Her early education was obtained through the public schools of Halifax County. She graduated from Eastman High in 1954. During her last years of high school life, Martella was determined (destined) to leave Enfield and go to business school/college in the big city. She moved to Washington, D.C. and lived with her beloved sister Dorothea. She attended the Cortez Peters Business College and excelled in all courses that led to her job at the Dept. of Agriculture. During this time, Martella met and married Charles Pollard and through their marriage they were blessed with three children, Sheryl, Derek, and Stacey. She continued her spiritual beliefs by joining Mount Joy Baptist Church where she was an active member of the scholarship committee and played an integral part in planning their annual fundraising event - The Crab Feast. Later, she became a member of East Washington Heights. While at East Washington Heights she served on the Clothes Closet, Starlight Cafe, and the Scholarship committee.
Martella went to work for H.E.W. now known as Health Human Services organization after working at the Dept. of Agriculture. While working at HHS, Martella returned to school and obtained her Bachelor of Arts degree in Education from AMERICAN University. After obtaining her degree, Martella earned a promotion and became a Grant Specialist. She really cherished her work as a Grant Specialist for Head Start programs which ensured children from underserved communities were prepared for school and much of her work focused on Native American reservations in the Midwest and West Coast. After 37 years of Federal service, she retired at the age of 57 and continued to provide her expertise as a consultant for a few years after retirement.
Martella believed in the importance of education. It was instilled in her children, nieces, nephews, grands, and friends of her children that education was key to their success. Although education was a primary focus, she also understood the value of exposure to Arts and Culture and ensured her children were involved in activities such as dance, piano, guitar, and swimming to name a few with a keen focus on giving her unwavering support to her three very different children in the activities they were passionate about.
Martella was very curious about the world and other cultures. That curiosity led her to embark on adventures with friends to Germany, Switzerland, China, Italy and Austria in addition to her vast travels domestically. She also loved Cruises, the Casino and Bowling (Braxton Village Mixed League). Her best friend, Virgie Rich introduced her to the “Friday Nighters” social club and Friday nights with the ladies became a favorite pastime of hers.
Mommy, Mama, Ma Pollard, and Ms. P were some of the names she was affectionately known by. Her home was the central gathering spot for her children and their friends. She absolutely LOVED the
opportunity to entertain and be surrounded by her friends and family. Mom loved life, she loved her children, and her love of family was unwavering. Mom treasured her moments with her grandchildren and great grandchildren. Most of all she absolutely loved and adored her mother, Annie Williams.
Martella leaves to cherish her memory her devoted children Sheryl Pollard Thomas and partner Troy Pace of Fort Washington, MD, Derek Ivan Pollard and wife Avise of Upper Marlboro, MD, and Stacey Pollard Johnson of Waldorf, MD. Her seven wonderful grandchildren: Derek Saunders, Krystal Horton, Kiara Thomas, Alysa Thomas, Kenneth Miles Johnson, Marcus Johnson, and Dean Pollard. Two precious great grandchildren: Priscilliana Horton, Tobias Thomas-Drayton. Two beautiful sisters Dorothea Hilliard of Enfield, NC, and Vannell Hawkins of Somerdale, NJ. A host of loving nieces, great and great-great nieces, nephews, great and great-great nephews, cousins, and friends.
In addition to her parents, Martella is now rejoined with her brothers: Melvin Williams (Verna), Willie Fred Williams (Mary), Linwood Williams (Minnie); sisters: Pearline W. Rudd, Earline W. Cheek, Quintintene Williams Hedgepeth; brother in laws: McKinley Hawkins and George Hilliard. Rest in Peace and have a blessed reunion.
The chapters of life were opened for Martella Williams Pollard when the late Willie Williams and Annie McWilliams were blessed with their fourth child born July 29, 1937, in Enfield, North Carolina. She was reared in a loving family of 8 other siblings and was a member of Pleasant Hill Missionary Baptist Church where she found her spiritual belief and understanding of God's word.
Her early education was obtained through the public schools of Halifax County. She graduated from Eastman High in 1954. During her last years of high school life, Martella was determined (destined) to leave Enfield and go to business school/college in the big city. She moved to Washington, D.C. and lived with her beloved sister Dorothea. She attended the Cortez Peters Business College and excelled in all courses that led to her job at the Dept. of Agriculture. During this time, Martella met and married Charles Pollard and through their marriage they were blessed with three children, Sheryl, Derek, and Stacey. She continued her spiritual beliefs by joining Mount Joy Baptist Church where she was an active member of the scholarship committee and played an integral part in planning their annual fundraising event - The Crab Feast. Later, she became a member of East Washington Heights. While at East Washington Heights she served on the Clothes Closet, Starlight Cafe, and the Scholarship committee.
Martella went to work for H.E.W. now known as Health Human Services organization after working at the Dept. of Agriculture. While working at HHS, Martella returned to school and obtained her Bachelor of Arts degree in Education from AMERICAN University. After obtaining her degree, Martella earned a promotion and became a Grant Specialist. She really cherished her work as a Grant Specialist for Head Start programs which ensured children from underserved communities were prepared for school and much of her work focused on Native American reservations in the Midwest and West Coast. After 37 years of Federal service, she retired at the age of 57 and continued to provide her expertise as a consultant for a few years after retirement.
Martella believed in the importance of education. It was instilled in her children, nieces, nephews, grands, and friends of her children that education was key to their success. Although education was a primary focus, she also understood the value of exposure to Arts and Culture and ensured her children were involved in activities such as dance, piano, guitar, and swimming to name a few with a keen focus on giving her unwavering support to her three very different children in the activities they were passionate about.
Martella was very curious about the world and other cultures. That curiosity led her to embark on adventures with friends to Germany, Switzerland, China, Italy and Austria in addition to her vast travels domestically. She also loved Cruises, the Casino and Bowling (Braxton Village Mixed League). Her best friend, Virgie Rich introduced her to the “Friday Nighters” social club and Friday nights with the ladies became a favorite pastime of hers.
Mommy, Mama, Ma Pollard, and Ms. P were some of the names she was affectionately known by. Her home was the central gathering spot for her children and their friends. She absolutely LOVED the
opportunity to entertain and be surrounded by her friends and family. Mom loved life, she loved her children, and her love of family was unwavering. Mom treasured her moments with her grandchildren and great grandchildren. Most of all she absolutely loved and adored her mother, Annie Williams.
Martella leaves to cherish her memory her devoted children Sheryl Pollard Thomas and partner Troy Pace of Fort Washington, MD, Derek Ivan Pollard and wife Avise of Upper Marlboro, MD, and Stacey Pollard Johnson of Waldorf, MD. Her seven wonderful grandchildren: Derek Saunders, Krystal Horton, Kiara Thomas, Alysa Thomas, Kenneth Miles Johnson, Marcus Johnson, and Dean Pollard. Two precious great grandchildren: Priscilliana Horton, Tobias Thomas-Drayton. Two beautiful sisters Dorothea Hilliard of Enfield, NC, and Vannell Hawkins of Somerdale, NJ. A host of loving nieces, great and great-great nieces, nephews, great and great-great nephews, cousins, and friends.
In addition to her parents, Martella is now rejoined with her brothers: Melvin Williams (Verna), Willie Fred Williams (Mary), Linwood Williams (Minnie); sisters: Pearline W. Rudd, Earline W. Cheek, Quintintene Williams Hedgepeth; brother in laws: McKinley Hawkins and George Hilliard. Rest in Peace and have a blessed reunion.