Polly B Stivers

Beloved Wife, Mother, Grandmother, and Great Grandmother, Polly Bernice Stivers, 80, of Columbus, Ohio entered into rest on Friday, August 1, 2025 alongside her husband of 60 years, Gerald (Gary) Stivers.

Polly was born on September 24, 1944 in Jacksboro, Tennessee, and she moved to Columbus, Ohio in 1962 at the age of 18. She worked as a carhop at Michael’s Goody Boy restaurant in the Short North, where she would meet Gary. Polly and Gary were married on July 2, 1965 in Lafollette, Tennessee.

Polly was an avid gardener, skilled seamstress, and an incredible cook. She enjoyed shopping for deals, and she was a regular at the local Goodwill store. She was a strong woman of faith, and she attended The Ole Time Freewill Baptist Church in Lockbourne. Polly loved to spend holidays with her family, and she was known for her Christmas gifts and desserts especially her peanut-butter pies and potato candy. She was always encouraging, graceful, and thoughtful, and she would go out of her way to help others. She had a beautiful, kind soul, and she was loved by everyone she met.

Polly was preceded in death by her parents Earl and Flora Byrd, brothers Carl Byrd and Luther Byrd, sisters Maudie Partin and Alma Baird, and daughter Trinka Kitchen. Polly is survived by her husband, Gerald Stivers, son Anthony Stivers, son-in-law Joseph Kitchen, sisters Earleen (Kipper) Charles, Joann (David) Given, and Marilyn (Tim) Scott, grandchildren Josh (Simone) Stivers, Zach (Sofia) Stivers, and Sera Kitchen, and her 3 great-grandchildren. She is also survived by various cousins, nieces and nephews, as well as many good friends.

Services will be held at Shaw-Davis Funeral Home at 4341 N High St, Columbus, OH 43214 on Friday, August 8, 2025 from 3-6 PM. Visitation will begin at 3 PM, and a service will be held at 5 PM.