A homegoing service for James Polk, Jr., age 78, of Dallas, Texas, will be held 1 P.M., Saturday, November 8, 2025, at Two Mile United Methodist Church, Leona, Texas. Rev. Howard Anderson, pastor of The Exciting Singing Hills Baptist Church, Dallas, Texas, will give the eulogy. Interment will follow in Two Mile Paradise Cemetery.
James Polk, Jr. was born on October 20, 1947, in Leona, Texas to James A and Pauline (Wynn) Polk. James was the eldest of fourteen children. He was raised in the Two Mile Community. He attended Washington Perkins School in Leona, Texas, then transferred to Douglass High School in Centerville, Texas. Upon leaving school, he later met and married Joainer Lankford on the eighteenth day of January, 1969,. James moved and relocated to Dallas, Texas, where he worked at Proctor and Gamble until they closed. He then went to work for TXU for forty years until his retirement. James was a member of the Sons of Zion Quartet Singers, also known as the Polk Brothers.
James was preceded in death by both of his parents, James A. and Pauline Polk; brother, Preston Polk; and infant brother, Redell Polk. He is survived by his wife of fifty-six years, Joainer Polk; sons, Brandon Polk (Lia) of Duncanville and Derrick Polk of Dallas; daughter, Jamie Woods (Larry) of Lancaster; six grandchildren, Blythe Polk, Majave Hamilton, Brandon Polk, Jr., Jamarion Polk, Jaelon Polk, and Maverick Woods; great-grandchildren, Semori and Q'arma; seven brothers, Joe Polk, Clyde Polk, Matthew Polk, Pastor Daniel Polk, and Pastor Carl Polk, all of Dallas, Paul Polk and Bernard Polk, both of Teague; sisters, Ermma Jefferson of Washington D.C., Gloria Polk and Patricia Polk Brown, both of Dallas; and Eva Polk of Teague; brother-in-law, Iziar Lankford (Jennifer) of Abilene; sister-in-law, Oletha Lankford of Centerville; uncle, Earthen Wynn (Pearl) of Dallas; and aunt, Mary Alice Lankford of Dallas; as well as a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
Pallbearers: Andre Polk, T.R. Polk, Lapaul Polk, Adrian Banks, Mitchell Lankford, Kendrick Polk
Final arrangements are entrusted to Walters Funeral Home, Centerville, Texas -- A Walters Family Funeral Home.
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610 South Commerce Street (State Highway 75), Centerville, TX 75833
Memories and condolences can be left on the obituary at the funeral home website.


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