Polly Ann Barkley passed away Wednesday, January 3, 2018 at St. Mary’s of Michigan-Saginaw. Age 69 years. She was born May 4, 1948 in Jasper, Florida, the daughter of Wyatt and Marie Strickland
Polly resided in Saginaw, Michigan and attended Saginaw Public Schools up to the 12th grade at Saginaw High School. She then moved to Knoxville, Tennessee with her mother. Polly returned to Saginaw when she was 18 years old, got married and raised three awesome children with her first husband. She worked at Luther Manor and Community Village as a CNA until her retirement in 2004. Polly was a loyal member of New Life Baptist Church under the leadership of the late Reverend Dr. Rufus Bradley until her residence changed. She enjoyed visiting other churches and riding with whomever would pick her up. Polly loved spending time with her great-grandson and her company keeper, “Puppy”. She enjoyed her move to Canton with her sister and loved spending sisterly time together every holiday, picnics, and casinos. Polly will be missed dearly by her loved ones.
She leaves to cherish her memory two daughters, Pamalin Buchanan, Canton, Michigan and Shirley Dunnaway, Saginaw, Michigan; seven grandchildren, Shannon Buchanan, Shantail Buchanan, Latosha Buchanan, Brandon Patterson, Ashley Patterson, LaTanya Buchanan, Anthony Dunnaway; thirteen great-grandchildren; two sisters, Tanya Feltson (Ronald Rowe), Georgia Harrison; three brothers, Wyatt Strickland, Jr., Wesley (Marilyn) Strickland, Walter Siler Strickland, Knoxville, Tennessee; eight nieces, Rose S. (Marc) Thompson, Yolanda S. (Isaac) Blackmon, Devonya (David) Brown, Valerie Williams, Crystal Harrison, Victoria Bell, Latonya Curry, Brittany Nickleberry; six nephews, Ronald (Latavia) Williams, Mario (Tameka) Jefferies, Dominique (Ashantee) Jefferies, Issiah Blackmon, Deon Harris, Walter Siler, Jr.; many cousins, other relatives and friends including special friends and her special great-grandson, Lamarion Patterson, who spent lots of time with his grandma.
Polly was preceded in death by her husband, Vese Barkley, Jr.; two brothers, Wallace Strickland, Jimmy Brown; her parents, Wyatt and Marie Strickland; one son, Deleon Buchanan, and one grandson, Amari Dunnaway.
The family would like to express special thanks to St. Mary’s of Michigan-Saginaw and Ivan E. Phillips and the staff of Paradise Funeral Chapel for all your support and compassion.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Polly A. Barkley, please visit our flower store.