Tessya V. Polk

Tessya V. Polk, affectionately known as Tess and Mimi, was the epitome of beauty, love, and generosity whose warmth brightened the lives of all who knew her. She was born on April 18, 1945, in Oklahoma City, OK, and she departed this world on August 29, 2024, leaving behind a legacy of kindness and selflessness that will be cherished forever.
Tessya was a proud graduate of Douglass High School Class of '63, which laid the foundation for her future career pursuits and where she formed lifelong friendships. She enjoyed keeping in touch and spending time with all her old classmates and friends from childhood. She treasured her lifelong friendships with all of them. Although many of her cherished friends no longer lived in Oklahoma, she often called and emailed them to see how they were doing and to exchange stories about their families.
Her love for culture and the arts was evident in her passion for opera, musicals, and orchestral works, which she enjoyed not only listening to, but also attending, whenever she had the chance. Tessya's adventurous spirit led her to travel internationally, exploring the cultures and histories of the places she visited. Her favorite international trip was to Israel which she visited several times.
Tessya loved singing and had a beautiful soprano voice. She sang in her church choir throughout her childhood as well as in groups with her friends. She was honored to be chosen as a choir member for the Billy Graham Evangelistic Festival held at the Chesapeake Arena in 2015. Her family was exceptionally proud of her wonderful accomplishment.
Family was the cornerstone of Tessya's life. She was a doting sister to Leotis Smith, and the most loving mother in the world to her cherished children Terri, PJ, Dahlia, and Joi. Her beautiful loving spirit was especially evident in her role as grandmother. Affectionately called Mimi by her grandchildren, she enveloped Angel (Kermit II), Angel Baby (Joshua), Precious (Naomi), Lil Man (Daniel), Andrew, Eliot, and Tia with unlimited love, gentleness, and encouragement. Tessya also had the joy of being a great-grandmother to Ion, Tracene, and Koa, each of whom she adored immensely. The love she had for her family was boundless and was a testament to her selfless spirit.
Tessya and Terri were as close as sisters and the best of friends, in addition to their mother-daughter relationship. They shared many adventures and accumulated a lifetime of wonderful memories that can never be taken away. They were the center of each other's lives. Tessya gave Terri a most beautiful example of motherhood and unselfishness.
Tessya loved spending time with her son, PJ. They enjoyed spending time together watching westerns and old classics. They would often go to movie theaters together, exercise together, and try out new restaurants together. She and PJ would often have cookouts where she would encourage his grilling techniques. She greatly loved her son and was extremely proud of his kind and happy spirit. PJ doted on his beloved mother and talked to her daily to see if she needed anything.
Tessya's boundless love extended to her coworkers, who became not only friends, but family. Her loving nature drew everyone to her. She "adopted" many coworkers as daughters and sons. She always prayed for them and encouraged them. Tessya loved so many during her time at DHS and OKC Rehab. She enjoyed working because she felt that she was among family, and work was a way to keep up with, and take care of, everyone. Tess's family will forever be grateful for her coworker family and their kindness and love for Tess through the years.
Tessya was preceded in death by her husband, Wilbert J. Polk; her mother Seletha Smith; and her mother-in-law, Velma J. Brown. She is survived by her brother, Leotis Smith (OK); her children, Terri (OK), PJ (OK), Dahlia (GA), Joi (CA) and Reonia who she loved as a daughter (OK); her brother-in-law Jody Brown (Yvette) of OK; her beloved grandchildren Kermit, Joshua, Naomi, Daniel, Andrew, Eliot, and Tia; her great-grandchildren, Ion, Tracene, and Koa; numerous cherished cousins including Paula (CA) and Edward (CA); and innumerable loving friends.
The family of Tessya Polk is very grateful for all the prayers and support throughout this exceptionally difficult time. The family would especially like to acknowledge the help of Judy Ward, the Douglass High School Class of 1963, Wanda (Punkin) Russell, and Gloria Dulan Wilson for their generous guidance and steadfast assistance.
All of heaven became gloriously brighter with Tessya's entrance. Her life was full of purpose and meaning. She found tremendous strength in daily prayer and her faith. She lived her life truly showing God's great and unconditional love to everyone she encountered. Always smiling, always generous, always sweet, always encouraging, always loyal, always humble, always loving-these are perfect descriptions of Tessya. These are the characteristics that we all treasure about our relationship with Tessya. She was the rarest of blessings in this world. She always made you feel important, valued, treasured, and loved. May we thank God forever for His beautiful precious gift of Tessya.
A Homegoing Celebration of the life of Tessya will be held Saturday, September 14, 2024, at 10:30am at Crawford Family Funeral Service (610 NW 178th St. Edmond, OK 73012), and will be made available here via livestream and recording, just prior to services. Graveside services will take place following, at Hillcrest Memory Gardens (12813 NE 50th St, Spencer, OK 73084).
Please feel free to send cards or condolences to:
The Family of Tess Polk
P.O. Box 20001
Oklahoma City, OK 73156