ANNIE "JEWEL" POLK

Annie "Jewel" Polk, age 89, of Raymore, Missouri passed away peacefully on December 16, 2025, at the Foxwood Springs Living Center.

A Celebration of Jewel's life will be held at a later date.

Jewel was born in Henderson, Texas on July 8, 1936, the daughter of Walter F. Gray and Elener Wright. Jewel attended various schools in East Texas. Shortly after high school, Jewel met Erly B. Polk, and they were later married on June 22, 1958, in Saint Joseph, Missouri.  Together, they were blessed with two wonderful sons, Erly D. and Reginald L. In life Jewel worked a few different careers. She was the lead cook at the State Hospital in Saint Joseph, later the lead cook at the Buchanan County Sheriff's Department in Saint Joseph and worked at and managed the well-known Four Aces Barbeque restaurant in Saint Joseph owned by her and husband Erly B along with the help of their two sons for 25 years. Upon retiring in 2001, she and Erly moved back to Texas to care for her mother and father.  They returned to Missouri in 2017 and made their home in Raymore to be closer to their sons.

Jewel was preceded in death by her parents, Walter and Elener Gray; four sisters, infant Emma Gray, Frances Ross, Betty Johnson and Rose Gray.

She is survived by her loving husband of 67 years, Erly B. Polk; her  two sons, Erly D. Polk and Reginald "Reggie" Polk (LaRae); two  brothers, Dennis Gray and Lester Gray (Faye); two sisters, Nellie  Wesley and Marcie Simmons (Tim); three grandchildren, Jerry Polk ( Missy) , Ashley Polk, and Erly "EJ" Polk; eight great grandchildren and numerous other relatives and friends.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contribution may be made to the Alzheimer's Association https://www.alz.org/kansascity

Arrangements: Cullen Funeral Home, Inc., Raymore, Missouri 816.322.5278