Emmer Lee Buchanon Polk, 89, died at 8 p.m. March 25, 2010 at Lillie Bennett Nursing Home in Wadesboro.

Funeral services were held at 2:30 p.m. April 1 at New Zion Baptist Church with interment following the service at Williams Cemetery.

She was born Feb. 8, 1921 in Peachland to the late Henry and Julia Buchanon. She was baptized and accepted Christ as her savior at an early age. She remained a faithful member until her health failed.

"Mama Lee" attended the public schools of Anson, worked for many years at Drum Manufacturing in Peachland and retired from Anson Shirt Company in Polkton. She spent many days as a seamstress and gardner and fished along the rivers, lakes and streams in her path. She loved the environment and fishing.

Polk married the late Leroy Polk in 1939.

She was preceded in death by her siblings William (Anna), Mary Francis Lee and Jack (Johnsie) Buchanon; three children, Maxine, Annetta and an infant boy; grandson, Ryan Polk; and two great-grandchildren, Tenisha White and Kisha Crowder.

She is survived by her children, Purcell (Hazel) Polk of Charlotte, John (Angelene) Polk of High Point and Louis Polk of Washington, D.C., Mary Julia Crowder of Peachland, Magnolia Sturdivant of Polkton, Helen Sturdivant of Peachland and Doris LaVerne Polk of Monroe; 29 grandchildren, including five she raised as her own, Sandra Sturdivant of New York, Aisha Jaaber of Egypt, Lora Sturdivant of Polkton; Francis Sturdivant of Polkton and Felisha Sturdivant of New York; 48 great-grandchildren; three great-great-grandchildren; two great-great-great-grandchildren; and a host of other relatives and friends.

The services are in the care of F&M McLendon Funeral Home.