Pauline Elizabeth (Carter) Polk, 108

MIDDLETOWN - Pauline Elizabeth (Carter) Polk died Friday, June 5, 2009, at Broadmeadow Nursing Home, Middletown. She was 108. Mrs. Polk was born March 11, 1901, on a farm near Princess Ann, Somerset County, Md. She was the third child of John Wesley Carter, III and Emma Dryden Carter. Her family moved to Salisbury, Md. about 1919. There she met her husband-to-be, Lanis Polk, in 1922. They married in December 1924 and moved to Wilmington in 1925. After the death of her husband in 1981, Mrs. Polk moved to Dover in 1995 to be near her daughter. In 1949, Mrs. Polk joined the Grace Methodist Church in Wilmington and remained a member until her death. She enjoyed playing cards and was in a card club of eight women from 1935 to 1990. She was quite an artist and created many drawings in pen and ink. Being an avid reader, she read over 500 books from The Dover Library after becoming 100 years old. Mrs. Polk was proud of her heritage. On her father's side, she is descended from the Carter family of Williamsburg, Va. Her grandfather fought in the Civil War, including the battle of Harper's Ferry. On her mother's side, she is descended from John Dryden, the first poet laureate of England. Mrs. Polk was preceded in death by her husband of 56 years and an infant daughter. She is survived by her daughter, Joyce Work and her husband Paul Work of Dover; grandchildren, Stephen and wife Nancy of Wilmington, Leslie Grandstaff and her husband Keith of Gettysburg, Pa.; and many great, great-great and great-great-great nieces and nephews. The family would like to extend their sincere appreciation and heart-felt thanks to the staff of Broadmeadow Nursing Home for all their kindnesses while she was a resident. There will be a short service in the chapel of Grace Lawn Memorial Cemetery at 2 p.m. on June 9. A private interment will follow in the adjourning cemetery. Because of Mrs. Polk's love of animals, in lieu of flowers, the family suggests a memorial contribution be made to the SPCA of Camden. Arrangements by Torbert Funeral Chapels, Dover. Letters of condolence may be sent to www.torbertfuneral.com.