1924
Francis
2022
Francis Jarrett
September 17, 1924 — June 14, 2022
Francis Pauline "Polly" Jarrett, 97, was born September 17, 1924, to Wade and Zoe (Francis) Steele at the home of her maternal grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. John Lewis Francis Southwest of Silverton, Texas.
She lived with her family in the Rock Creek Community, where she attended grade school. Polly graduated from Silverton High School in 1941. Shortly after graduation, she completed Lippert's Business College in Plainview. Later she attended Clarendon College and Texas Tech University.
In 1944 she moved to Lubbock and went to work at Lubbock Army Air Base and later at South Plains Army Airfield, where she met the love of her life, Claude Earl "Jeep" Jarrett.
They married March 16, 1951, in Roswell, New Mexico. Through the years, they owned businesses in the Lone Star and Petersburg communities before settling back in Silverton, where they raised their five children. Later they moved back to Lubbock, where she worked for Rhode Construction Company for many years.
Polly acquired the nickname Polly as a young child due to her Pollyanna outlook on life, traits she continued throughout her life, always looking for the silver lining and the good in everyone and every situation.
While working at the Armybase she acquired her pilots license and was part owner in a plane. Had circumstances not changed she would have been the youngest female to fly solo across the U.S.
Polly had a faithful servant's heart serving as a 4-H leader and a member of Extension Homemakers for many years, holding many offices, including District President. She also volunteered at many school activities and functions for her five children. After moving to Lubbock, she volunteered for the South Plains Food Bank, Family Promise, Ronald McDonald House, and Quaker Avenue Church of Christ until her failing health the last couple of years prevented it. In her "spare time," she often cared for "older female friends" (often much younger than her), taking them food or driving them to Dr.'s or other appointments. She was a charter member of Lubbock Dusty Days Investment Club and cherished across the involvement with them for many years. Polly enjoyed traveling, especially with her family, and was able to travel across the U.S., Canada, and Mexico on numerous trips with them.
She was an excellent cook and will long be remembered for her cakes, pies, and famous hot rolls and cinnamon rolls which she often shared with neighbors and friends. Polly enjoyed gardening, sewing, going to the symphony, rooting for the Red Raiders, spending time with family and friends, and especially spoiling her grandchildren, which somehow, she always managed to find time to do.
Though not professionally trained, she became proficient at cutting hair and for years cut her hair, her children's, and even her sons-in-law and grandchildren's hair, only occasionally nipping an ear or making a bad cut.
Polly was a humble Christian who never wanted attention but wanted others to feel important and special. She never thought she was attractive, but most would agree that she was beautiful inside and out. She was loved and will be missed by many who called her friend, mother, and Mamaw!
She passed from this life at her home surrounded by her family on June 14, 2022. Visitation will be Saturday, June 18, at Quaker Avenue Church of Christ (17th & Quaker) Lubbock at 10 a.m., with service to follow at 11 a.m. Grandsons will serve as pallbearers, and Lubbock Dusty Days Investment Club members will be honorary pallbearers. Polly was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, a daughter Patricia Ann, and a son Claude Earl. She is survived by daughters Sharon (Robert) Bell, and Jo Bidwell, a son, James Jarrett all of Lubbock, a daughter-in-law Amy Jarret of Llano, six grandsons, Michael Bell, Rob Bell (Amanda), Jay Jarrett (Meagan), John Jarrett (Bridgette), Jed Jarrett (Carrie), Josh Bidwell (Caitlin) and one granddaughter Lara Bidwell McNutt (Micah) and twelve great-grandchildren.
Thank you for the food, calls, visits, and prayers, and to Hospice of Lubbock for caring for and helping her stay in her home during her final days.
Polly requested memorial donations to benefit the Silverton Cemetery Association or a charity of your choice.
She lived with her family in the Rock Creek Community, where she attended grade school. Polly graduated from Silverton High School in 1941. Shortly after graduation, she completed Lippert's Business College in Plainview. Later she attended Clarendon College and Texas Tech University.
In 1944 she moved to Lubbock and went to work at Lubbock Army Air Base and later at South Plains Army Airfield, where she met the love of her life, Claude Earl "Jeep" Jarrett.
They married March 16, 1951, in Roswell, New Mexico. Through the years, they owned businesses in the Lone Star and Petersburg communities before settling back in Silverton, where they raised their five children. Later they moved back to Lubbock, where she worked for Rhode Construction Company for many years.
Polly acquired the nickname Polly as a young child due to her Pollyanna outlook on life, traits she continued throughout her life, always looking for the silver lining and the good in everyone and every situation.
While working at the Armybase she acquired her pilots license and was part owner in a plane. Had circumstances not changed she would have been the youngest female to fly solo across the U.S.
Polly had a faithful servant's heart serving as a 4-H leader and a member of Extension Homemakers for many years, holding many offices, including District President. She also volunteered at many school activities and functions for her five children. After moving to Lubbock, she volunteered for the South Plains Food Bank, Family Promise, Ronald McDonald House, and Quaker Avenue Church of Christ until her failing health the last couple of years prevented it. In her "spare time," she often cared for "older female friends" (often much younger than her), taking them food or driving them to Dr.'s or other appointments. She was a charter member of Lubbock Dusty Days Investment Club and cherished across the involvement with them for many years. Polly enjoyed traveling, especially with her family, and was able to travel across the U.S., Canada, and Mexico on numerous trips with them.
She was an excellent cook and will long be remembered for her cakes, pies, and famous hot rolls and cinnamon rolls which she often shared with neighbors and friends. Polly enjoyed gardening, sewing, going to the symphony, rooting for the Red Raiders, spending time with family and friends, and especially spoiling her grandchildren, which somehow, she always managed to find time to do.
Though not professionally trained, she became proficient at cutting hair and for years cut her hair, her children's, and even her sons-in-law and grandchildren's hair, only occasionally nipping an ear or making a bad cut.
Polly was a humble Christian who never wanted attention but wanted others to feel important and special. She never thought she was attractive, but most would agree that she was beautiful inside and out. She was loved and will be missed by many who called her friend, mother, and Mamaw!
She passed from this life at her home surrounded by her family on June 14, 2022. Visitation will be Saturday, June 18, at Quaker Avenue Church of Christ (17th & Quaker) Lubbock at 10 a.m., with service to follow at 11 a.m. Grandsons will serve as pallbearers, and Lubbock Dusty Days Investment Club members will be honorary pallbearers. Polly was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, a daughter Patricia Ann, and a son Claude Earl. She is survived by daughters Sharon (Robert) Bell, and Jo Bidwell, a son, James Jarrett all of Lubbock, a daughter-in-law Amy Jarret of Llano, six grandsons, Michael Bell, Rob Bell (Amanda), Jay Jarrett (Meagan), John Jarrett (Bridgette), Jed Jarrett (Carrie), Josh Bidwell (Caitlin) and one granddaughter Lara Bidwell McNutt (Micah) and twelve great-grandchildren.
Thank you for the food, calls, visits, and prayers, and to Hospice of Lubbock for caring for and helping her stay in her home during her final days.
Polly requested memorial donations to benefit the Silverton Cemetery Association or a charity of your choice.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Francis Jarrett, please visit our flower store.
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