Nell Polley, 88, of Center, passed away Sunday, October 29, 2023, in Lufkin. Funeral service will be held at 2:00 p.m., Friday, November 3, 2023, at Watson & Sons Funeral Home in Center with visitation from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. Bro. Joel McMahon will officiate. Interment will follow at Oaklawn Memorial Park in Center.

Born November 14, 1934, in the Patroon Community of Shelby County, Nell is the daughter of Ivey Alexander and Maureen Sims Alexander. A strong willed, faith-filled lady, Nell loved her family, friends, and Church. Nell shared good humor and a big smile with everyone she met. She could light up a room and always enjoyed telling a good joke. While at home, you could find Nell riding in her golf cart, working in the yard, tending to her dogs and beautiful flowers. She also enjoyed sitting on her back porch drinking tea while watching the birds and deer. She enjoyed going shopping and getting her nails done with her best friend Sue Russell and her daughter Charlotte. Nell adored time spent with her grandchildren and great grandchildren. She loved the Christmas season and would often begin shopping and decorating months in advance. Chevy Chase’s Christmas Vacation was her favorite movie and she loved watching it with family over and over again every Christmas. Nell was a lifelong member of The First United Methodist Church where she served on various committees. In her early years she enjoyed going fishing and hunting with O.H. at the camp house and traveling to the valley to visit family.

She is survived by her daughter, Charlotte Sparks and husband H.B.; son, Mike Polley and wife Raj; grandchildren, Ashley Golden and husband D.D., Hillary McElroy and husband Collin, Radha Polley, Nikhil Polley, and Anjali Polley; great grandchildren, Gavin Golden, Mason Golden, Connor McElroy, Tucker McElroy, and Olivia Jamie McElroy; and her beloved dogs, Bo and Bear. Preceded in death by husband, O.H. Polley; parents, Ivey Alexander and Maureen Sims Alexander; sister, Nedra Tillman; and brothers, Waymon Alexander, James Alexander, and Jack Alexander.

Pallbearers will be Collin McElroy, D.D. Golden, Nikhil Polley, Gavin Golden, Robert Hughes III, and Mark Madeley. A special thank you to caregivers, Francis Ann Jeans and Lee Posados. Online condolences & tributes can be sent at www.watsonandsonsfh.com