Jan. 3, 1910 – April 20, 2012

FAYETTE — Services for Jessie Polly Holloway Beverly, 102, who died Friday, April 20, 2012, in Fayette, will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at Jefferson County High School with Superintendent Ernest Johnson officiating.

Burial will follow at the Beverly Family Cemetery under the direction of Rollins Funeral Home in Fayette.

Visitation will be from 1 to 6 p.m. today at the funeral home.

Mrs. Beverly was born Jan. 3, 1910, in Jefferson County, the daughter of Jesse Holloway and Minnie Rice. She was a retired educator with the Jefferson County schools.

Mother Jessie Polly Holloway Beverly was united in holy matrimony to Superintendent Mason R. Beverly, her hometown sweetheart, on June 26, 1936.

She was a lifelong educator who believed in putting God first in her life. She touched a number of lives in her community. She began teaching school at the age of 17. She was the first black librarian in Jefferson County. Mrs. Beverly retired after teaching 50 years in the public school systems. She taught at Charles Summer School in Jefferson County in 1927. The rest of her educational career was in Claiborne County Public School System and Jefferson County Public School System. Her educational background included: Charles Summer School, Jackson State College, bachelor of science degree in elementary education at Rust College in 1959 and a master of science degree in library science from Atlanta University. Further studies include St. Louis University, Indiana State University and Delta State University.

Mrs. Beverly was a model citizen. The City of Fayette named Polly Beverly Apartments and Polly Beverly Street in her honor. She served as a church mother at Mount Zion Church of God in Christ but was reared in Adams Chapel Methodist Church.

As first lady of Mount Zion, St. John Church of God In Christ and District Seven of the Mississippi Southern First Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction of the Church of God In Christ, she worked faithful doing the time of her husband and continued to work after his death. She was affiliated with Fayette Garden Club, Professional Teachers Association, Chamber of Commerce member and a member of the American Red Cross.

Mother Beverly was preceded in death by her husband; her parents; her only child, Camille M. Beverly; and one brother, Thomas Holloway.

Survivors include one niece, Minnie Rose Robinson and husband, Larry, of Greenville; two cousins, Mary Ruth Hill and Renette Anderson of Los Angeles; four great-nephews, Marcus Holloway, Larry G. Robinson Jr., Jamaal Robinson and Quentoris Robinson, all of Greenville; two godchildren, Evelyn RaShae Smith of Lorman and Mason Herrington and wife, Roslyn, of Hattiesburg; three special friends and caregivers, Mary Gales Phipps and husband, James, of Edwards Joyce R. Smith and husband, Earl, and Tracy Cook and wife, Crystal, of Fayette; special friend, Lucinda Gales of Fayette; and a large church family and friends.