ROBERT WILLIE POLK, SR.

Robert Willie Polk, Sr. affectionately known as “Honey”, “Dub” and “Bobby” was born April 21, 1941 in Leona, Texas and is the second child and first son born to the late R.L and Johnnie Mae Polk. He was married to Glorious “Glois” Stringfellow Polk for 62 years. To this union 7 living children were born.  He left this world for glory on January 23, 2021. 

Growing up in a small farming East Texas town gave “Dub” his humble beginnings. It was a small community in which the church was the central focus. As a boy, his parents were among the Charter members of Wilson Chapel COGIC under the leadership of Pastor Lon Evans. It was a community full of family, many cousins and friends. This unique religious factor would come full circle as he became a Charter Member of Divine Purpose COGIC in May 2009 under the leadership of Pastor Johnnie Evans, Jr., grandson to his childhood pastor Lon Evans.

“Dub” was exceptionally smart and would have graduated at the top of his high school class and attend Prairie View A&M University. However, he never graduated high school, instead at the tender age of 16 he opted to leave Leona County and head to San Antonio, Texas to find work. At 17 he found the love of his life and married Glorious “Glois” Stringfellow on January 22, 1959. He often joked that after buying the marriage license and securing them a home he had $7 dollars in his pocket. He said Glois took $5 and left me $2 for the week and such their life began.

After many years of hard work, the man known as “Bobby” hit the tire industry by storm. Bobby started his career in tires as a Tire Changer. From Tire Changer he moved to Salesman. From Salesman he moved to one of the youngest and first African American Vice President of a national tire chain. Bobby worked for American Tire Mileage for 20 years; GCR for 15 years and retired with Southern Tire Mart after 35 years of service. Within that extraordinary career, Bobby also started two businesses. After an illustrious career with Southern Tire Mart in which he was often a key speaker at their annual conferences, Bobby known as the “Million Dollar Man” “retired” in 2017. He then forged a small tire business known as B & L and acted as Chief Owner until his death. Throughout the tire industry you would often hear Bobby greet his customers and when asked “How you doing?” his reply would be, “Kicking but not High but as long as you Kicking!”

“Dub”leaves behind his wife of 62 years Glorious “Glois” Polk. He is survived by their children: Joyce DeLoach (Jim); Minister Lisa Wilson; Robert W. Polk, Jr. (Audra Johnson); Michael Polk, Donna “Dea” Polk; Michelle Polk Hebert (Patrick) and is preceded in death by his youngest daughter Rita L. Polk. His first two grandchildren in which he raised as his own:  Chereece “Cat” Polk Kingston (Dustin); Quincilla Polk Benavides (Shawn); Christopher Bradford (Sophie); Nicholas Polk (Jackie); Crystal Polk; Amber Polk; Brittany Polk Bridgefort (Eddie); Brian Bautista (Jackie); Chastity Hebert; Joshua “Bobo” Hebert; Robert W. Polk, III; Samantha Polk and Khaliah Gaines aka “Squaw”.  He also leaves 17 Great Grandchildren. His siblings: Dorothy Jean Wilson (Joe Luis); LW Polk (Michelle); Ida Dean Willis (Ronald); Jewel Polk; Calvin Polk (Valarie); Elmer Polk; James K. Polk (Sunja). He is also preceded in death by siblings: Johnnie B. Polk; Dorothy Mae Smith and Willie Lee Polk; his beloved sister-in-law Dorothy Burton and best friend L.Z. Wiley. He leaves a host of nephews, nieces, cousins, friends and colleagues.

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