of Batesville, AR
July 7, 1925 - January 23, 2023
Polly Whitmire Evans Livingston passed away on January 23, 2023. Polly was born in Saffell, Arkansas near the community of Strawberry, Arkansas on July 7, 1925 to Azro and Dove Irene (Edwards) Whitmire. Polly was preceded in death by her parents; her four brothers, Grant, Millard, Melvin and Alfred; two sisters, Louise and Betty Ann and two half-brothers.
In 1944 Polly met and married George Maxfield ''Budge'' Evans. Together they had two daughters who survive her, Suzanne Evans Blair (David Blair) of Batesville and Anne Elizabeth Evans (Talmadge Wright) of Santa Rosa, California. Besides her daughters, Polly is survived by her two beloved grandchildren, Geoffrey Maxfield Blair of Batesville and Madeline Evan Mahrer of Pasadena, California.
Budge and Polly were together for 24 years before divorcing. Polly then married J. Fred Livingston, Jr. of Batesville. Their 15-year marriage proved to be the happiest time in Polly's life. Following Fred's death, Polly became an active and passionate volunteer in her community. She led the way for women, by taking the helm in local community organizations. She was the first woman President of the Batesville Country Club and the Batesville Chamber of Commerce. She was the first woman accepted into the Batesville Rotary Club in 1989 and later she became their first female president from 1996 to 1997. Polly also gave much of her time to the Business and Professional Women's organization of Batesville, the American Cancer Society, the First United Methodist Church, the Batesville Area Arts Council and the Old Independence Regional Museum, among others. Polly valued education and provided generous support to the University of Arkansas, Lyon College and UACCB.
Polly loved to laugh, spend time with her family and work for her community; she was one of a kind and will be greatly missed.
Her family would like to extend heartfelt thanks to the staff at Eagle Mountain Assisted Living and Woodlawn Heights, as well as deep gratitude to Jennifer Gillihan for her love and care of Polly to the end.
Visitation will be on Thursday, February 2, from 5:00-7:00 pm at Roller-Crouch Funeral Home and the funeral on Friday, February 3, at 2:00 pm at the Roller-Crouch Chapel.
Pallbearers are Sam Cooke, James Morgan, Glen Pool, Jeff Showalter, Steve Wright and Talmadge Wright. Honorary pallbearers are the members of the Batesville Rotary Club.
In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to Rotary International or the Old Independence Regional Museum.
Sign Guestbook
23 Condolence(s)
John Golden
Friday, April 14, 2023
Beautiful Polly! A wonderful friend to my family during my growing up years in Batesville. Many fond memories. Condolences to Susie and Libby.
Deborah Keener Tate
Friday, February 17, 2023
I am sorry to hear about Miss Polly my mother and Aunt(Emma Jo and Erma Jo Chrìsco) had known her for year. I am sorry for your loss you all are in my thoughts and prayers.
Jan Burrow Qualls
Monday, February 6, 2023
Fly to the angels Miss Polly
The family is in my thoughts and prayers
Sam Cooke
Thursday, February 2, 2023
I will always remember her as the mother of two incredibly talented, intelligent and beautiful daughters, and a dedicated volunteer for this community. We will miss Polly.
Betha MacClain
Tuesday, January 31, 2023
Dear Friends, I am so sorry for the loss of Polly’s light in the world. What a life she lived! She was a remarkable woman and a trailblazer. She will be missed. Sending love and condolences.
Betha
Frances Pearson
Monday, January 30, 2023
Love and Prayers for Pollys family,
An incredible loving and sweet lady sadly missed. God bless you all during this difficult time.
Betty Cockrill
Sunday, January 29, 2023
My thoughts and prayers are with each of your families. Polly was a neighbor for several years when I lived on Dogwood Drive. She will be missed in our city and community.
Tim Bearden
Friday, January 27, 2023
God bless. My thoughts and respect are with Libby and the family.
Mary Jo Shivey
Friday, January 27, 2023
Miss Polly was one of my “Mom’s†after my mother past away when I was 12. When I was older and worked for the paper it was so good to visit with her at different events in Batesville. She will be dearly missed. Prayers to the family
Nina Womack
Thursday, January 26, 2023
I love Polly. She and I worked the County Elections for many years. She was a wonderful person.
Carol Crosby
Thursday, January 26, 2023
Polly & my mother, Sylvia Crosby, became good friends after my father passed away. She had many holiday meals, and non holiday, at mom's house. I loved to visit with her, she was an amazing woman. I feel very blessed to have known her and will forever greatful of the friendship & support she gave to mom.
Katherine Crouch Hughes
Thursday, January 26, 2023
The world has lost one of the hardest working committee members, community builders and mentor and a lively and lovely soul. Blessings to the family
Merry A McSpadden
Thursday, January 26, 2023
I feel blessed to have known her. May God best her family during this difficult time and in the days to come.
Margaret Crosby Robinette
Thursday, January 26, 2023
Our mother, Sylvia, loved Polly and counted her as a dear friend. I am so sorry for this tremendous loss. She was beautiful and truly one of a kind. I know her presence in Batesville will be deeply missed. But Sylvia and Polly are laughing together again now and that makes me happy.
Jeff Showalter
Wednesday, January 25, 2023
Polly was a jewel. Her wit and smile always present and always dressed to the nines. Brimming with confidence she embraced challenges. I will miss my friend Polly.
Aida (Edie) Branstetter
Wednesday, January 25, 2023
Enjoyed friendship with Polly: funny, caring, loving & unassuming! She shared a Thanksgiving & Christmas meal with us at our home. My husband was a member of Rotary Club--that's how we met. Oh & what a fashionista!
Jeff Zelasko
Wednesday, January 25, 2023
Sorry for your loss. Polly was a jewel in this community. She always wore a smile and time for conversation. She will be greatly missed.
Amanda Dickey
Wednesday, January 25, 2023
Ms Polly was a great mentor and example for us younger ladies. She took me under her wing when I joined Rotary. I will never forget her or the woman she was. God Bless. She will be missed.
Talmadge Wright
Wednesday, January 25, 2023
We will miss you Polly! I have known you since 1996 and relish the times we had together. I always admired your determination and strength as being a powerful woman breaking barriers for other women to follow. Your humor and your concerns always struck the right note. You have lived a long life and now pass into the ages, for the next step of your journey. As we say goodbye always remember that we loved you and cared for you.
Karen Mills
Wednesday, January 25, 2023
Ms. Polly was always smiling & generous with her conversation when I checked her out at Walgreens.. She also came to a lot of our ECW lunches & meetings at St Paul's back in the 90's... S
he was friends of all who ever crossed her path. Sweet Lady, God has welcomed her home
Linda Ransom
Wednesday, January 25, 2023
I am sorry for your loss. Polly was such a beautiful lady. She meant so much to the Batesville community.
Alan & Linda Moore
Wednesday, January 25, 2023
She was quite a lady and we enjoyed her immensely and always enjoyed her smile! When I was a Rotarian, she always sold tickets to my parents and my parents always bought from her than me! When I confronted her about her selling techniques, she would just laugh and giggle. How Linda and I loved that lady!
Johnny Kent
Tuesday, January 24, 2023
We will always remember Prolly. Starr and I had many a good time together with Polly. God bless you all.