Obituary: Pauline ‘Polly’ Prewitt Rector

Pauline Lambert Prewitt Rector, age 91, of Oak Ridge, passed away at her home after a long illness on Wednesday, September 3,  surrounded by family.

She was born July 2, 1923, in Bandy, Virginia, the daughter of Della Mae and Fred Oliver Lambert.

She pioneered in Oak Ridge from 1943 to 1945, moving to Mississippi until 1951 before returning to Oak Ridge until 1964. She then lived in Chattanooga until 1970 and Florida until 1989, when she again returned to Oak Ridge.

Polly was a member of Woodland Park Baptist Church. She was also a 50-year charter member of The Order of the Amaranth and its past Grand Royal Matron, State of Tennessee. 

A creative and resourceful homemaker, her busy hands often held a needle or hook for sewing or crocheting. She was a fine seamstress, literally creating her daughters’ and her own clothes. There was red wool everywhere in the summer of 1961, when she made all 10 uniforms for the 1961-62 Oak Ridge High School cheerleader squad.

She adored bridge and played for decades, including her Tuesdays at the senior center. Most of all her passion was people. With cell phone in hand, she connected with her large extended family on a near daily basis from her chair in their sunroom, watching seasons change and loving the parade of birds and wildlife from the window.

Outside the home, she had worked as a pharmacist’s assistant at local drugstores, such as Overton’s in Oak Ridge and Albert’s Drug for many years in College Park, Orlando.

To her children and grandchildren, Mimi Polly imparted her gift for hospitality. There was always room for more at her table, which would be piled high with delicious southern dishes. She could cook like no one else! Ever known for her high spirits, she shared one-liners full of good humor.

Her marriage to lifelong friend Tommy the week of her 80th birthday not only combined their two families, but brought joy to anyone who was blessed to see them huddled deep in conversation or walking hand in hand. In their 11 years of marriage, they managed never to spend a night apart. It was the sweetest of love affairs.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her first husband, George Prewitt; brothers Fred Jr., Bernard, Jack, and Jim Lambert; son-in-law, Robert Bryan; and grandson, Jason Frizzell. Also preceding her in death was her life’s closest friend, Teen Puryear.

She is survived by her beloved husband of 11 years, Thomas E. Rector; sisters; Edith Orr, Naomi Winesette, and Peggy (Jesse) Murphy; children; Sandra Prewitt Powers of Winter Park, Florida, George L. Prewitt of Toms River, New Jersey, Joseph L Prewitt of Bricktown, New Jersey, Tina Prewitt Bryan of Orlando, Florida, Connie Rector (Byrl) King of Chattanooga, and Deborah Rector (Steve) Henegar of Oak Ridge; grandchildren; Jeffrey Powers, Claire Powers Riendeau, Alexander Powers, Heather Garrison Corley, Will Prewitt, Sally Prewitt, Joseph Prewitt, Lucy Bryan Green, Lee Bryan, Rachael Bryan Cowherd, Joseph Bryan, Mark Frizzell, and Khari Spence; and 10 great-grandchildren. Other survivors include many nieces, nephews, grandnieces, and grandnephews.

The family would like to thank her caregivers from Covenant Hospice, especially Diana Kries.

The family received friends Saturday, September 6, at 11 a.m. at Glenwood Baptist Church. The funeral began at 12 p.m. with Dr. Mark Walton officiating. The interment followed at Oak Ridge Memorial Park.

The family asks that any memorials be given to the Helping Ministry of Glenwood Baptist Church, 200 S. Alabama Rd., Oak Ridge, TN 37830 in Polly’s memory.

Weatherford Mortuary is in charge of arrangements. An online guest book can be signed at www.weatherfordmortuary.com.