Sister Mary Deporres Polk

Sr. M. dePorres Polk, a member of the Olivetan Benedictine Sisters of Holy Angels convent for 49 years, died February 1, 2018.  She was 74 years old.

Barbara Lee Polk was born in Lafayette, Louisiana, to the late Henry and Dorothy Polk.  She entered the convent in 1967 and, as Sister Mary dePorres, professed first vows in 1969.  Sister dePorres earned her LPN and served at the convent infirmary and at St. Bernards Medical Center for over 20 years.  For 12 years, Sr. dePorres served as the Assistant Liaison to the Diocesan Council for Black Catholics.  She served as community Subprioress under Mother Lillian Marie Reiter.

In 2016, Bishop Anthony Taylor presented Sr. dePorres with the Daniel Rudd Memorial Award for her many years of dedication and service to the Catholic church in Arkansas.

She is survived by a sister, Judith Lightfoot, and many beloved nieces and nephews.  She was preceded in death by her parents and by her brother, Preston Richard Polk.

Visitation will be Sunday, February 4, 2018 at 6:30 pm followed by Rosary at 7 pm at the convent chapel.  The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Monday, February 5, 2018 at 10:00 am in the convent chapel and interment will be at Mount Olivet Cemetery on the convent grounds.  Emerson Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Holy Angels Convent Retirement Fund, 1699 Cr 766, Jonesboro  72401.

To register online, go to www.emersonfuneralhome.com