Betty J. Polin

Betty Jean Woodard Polin, the daughter of Andrew Woodard and Pearl Duncan Woodard, was born April 30, 1940 in Indianapolis, Indiana. She graduated from Arsenal Technical High School and attended IUPUI and Indiana Central where she pursued degrees in Liberal Arts. Betty accepted Christ at an early age and was baptized at Mt. Moriah Baptist Church. Betty was united in Holy Matrimony to William Edison Polin and together they built a family that included four children; Valerie, Jeff (who preceded her in death), Felice and Lori. While supporting her husband in the military, Betty worked as a volunteer for the Red Cross as a Dental Assistant. She then worked as a customer service representative for Sears, Roebuck and Co. and later for National Bank of Detroit (NBD), from which she retired in 1996. Betty and William had a special relationship. William jokingly tells the story that many told them their love wouldn’t last after knowing each other less than 90 days. Betty and William were married in 1959 and their marriage spanned six decades, lasting nearly 62 years. Betty lived a fulfilled life traveling across the world. She especially enjoyed entertaining and traveling with her close knit Cincinnati group. She also enjoyed spending time with her family and friends. She had a special love for her grandchildren and great grandchildren. Betty maintained lifelong friendships with two special friends, Kathleen Mitchell and Bennie Bradley. Their bond remained strong through marriage, children and long distances. Another important relationship was her love for the Lord; Betty joined Pilgrim Missionary Baptist Church where she served faithfully on the Deaconess board until her illness prevented her from doing so. She was an active member of the church and regularly attended Sunday School, Bible Study and Third Sunday Book Club where many special relationships were formed. Betty loved her church and her church family. Betty was the last surviving member of her immediate family. She is preceded in death by; her parents Andrew and Pearl Woodard, four sisters; Flora Fleming, Mabel Dubinion, Creola Lee and Mary Ann McGee, two brothers; Andrew Woodard, and John Woodard, and one son Jeff Polin. Betty leaves to cherish her memory; her devoted and beloved husband, William, three daughters, Valerie, Felice (Joe), and Lori, five grandchildren, Darel, David, Jada, Camille, and James, three great grandchildren, Darel Jr., Dior and Denver, three brothers-in-law, Alfred (Anita), Nathan, and Roscoe (Debbie), one sister-in-law, Juanita, and a host of nieces, nephews and other relatives.