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Polly Dee
Sandlin (Ishmael)

October 27, 1938 – November 20, 2018

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Obituary for Polly Dee Sandlin (Ishmael)

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Polly Dee Ishmael Sandlin fell asleep in the hope of Christ’s Resurrection on Tuesday, November 20, 2018.

She was born October 27, 1938 in Oklahoma City the daughter of Dr. William Knowlton and Pollyanna Almeda (McBride) Ishmael.

Polly Dee shared a special bond with her Grandparents, the late Dr. and Mrs. Earl D. McBride. She was born on the 47th birthday of her Grandmother, Pauline “Polly” McBride and was the third generation to be named Polly. Along with her mother and grandmother she was a member of P.E.O. and a lifelong Methodist. Like her Grandfather, she played the piano by ear and enjoyed being a Rotarian. She particularly treasured spending summers as a child with her Grandparents in Colorado.

Polly was raised in Oklahoma City except during the “War Years”. In 1948, along with her parents, she became a founding member of Nichols Hills United Methodist Church. She was in the first graduating class in 1956 of the new Northwest Classen High School where she was honored with the Faculty Award. After graduation, she attended Randolph-Macon Woman’s College in Lynchburg, Va. for two years where she was a member of Pi Beta Phi sorority. She transferred to Oklahoma University graduating with a Bachelor’s Degree in Speech Therapy. In 1984 she earned a second degree from O.U. in Spanish.

In 1960, Polly married and moved to Muskogee where she made her home. She served as a field director for the Lakewood Girl Scout Council until her sons were born. She helped organize a local chapter of American Field Service (A.F.S.) foreign exchange student program. She also tutored young people with speech difficulties. She was an active member of St. Paul United Methodist Church, member and past president of chapter AO of P.E.O. sisterhood, Pi Phi Alumnae, Muskogee Service League, served on the O.U. Board of Visitors and Eastern Oklahoma Library board. In 1971 she was honored as an Outstanding Young Woman in America.

Polly Sandlin moved to Norman in 1981 where McFarlin United Methodist Church became not only her church, but her home. In 1987, Polly was asked to write a program for Older Adult Ministry for McFarlin that would meet the intention of a bequest from the will of the late Susan Millier. She began working with the senior adults in 1988 and this became her passion. God granted her the opportunity to grow this ministry and it grew tremendously in her 20 years leading the ministry. She developed a program of field trips, monthly speakers and outreach to home bound seniors. The trips went to many places across Oklahoma and surrounding states. Through this position she established McFarlin’s Alzheimer Support Group which is an official support group of the Oklahoma City Area Alzheimer’s Association. She was passionate about helping senior adults. It was her calling.

In the Norman community, Polly was a Paul Harris Fellow of the Norman Rotary Club, a member and past president of chapter BP of P.E.O. Sisterhood, and Ex Libris Book Club. Polly was a board member of Cleveland County Council on Aging, a member of Eldercare Advisory Board, the area wide Aging Advisory Board, Meals on Wheels Board and the United Methodist Committee on Health and Welfare.
Polly was preceded in death by her parents, grandparents, her “special Mom”, Mrs. W.K. (Ruth) Ishmael, her brother, William E. Ishmael, her aunts and uncle, Elma McMurran Duncan, Mary Tullius, Dorothy Molloy Chandler and Dr. Don M. Ishmael.

She is survived by her sons, Robert F. (Rob) Sandlin, Jr. of OKC and William Scot Sandlin and his wife Ilene of Dallas; her beloved grandson, Robert Peerson “Pierce” Sandlin; her brother, John Ishmael of OKC; her step-sister, Carol Krueger of Tulsa; a special cousin, Pat Molloy and her lifelong friend, Linda Kennedy (Rosser) McDaniel.

We are grateful for her cousin, Sue Hartman, who sat with her each day of the last week of her life. We would like to thank the memory unit staff of Legend at Council Road Assisted Living for their care the last four and a half years. Also to Sharece Taylor, R.N. and the staff of Valir Hospice for their end of life care.

For those who desire, memorials may be made to Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation, Alzheimer’s Research, 825 NE 13th, Oklahoma City, OK 73104 www.omrf.org , Northwest Classen Class of ’56 Scholarship Fund, Oklahoma City Community Foundation, Box 1146, OKC,OK 73101or the McFarlin Foundation – Millier Ministry, 419 S. University Ave., Norman, OK 73069

The family will receive friends from 5:00 until 7:00 p.m. Monday at Vondel Smith Mortuary North, 13125 N. MacArthur Blvd. Funeral service will be 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, November 27 at McFarlin United Methodist Church 413 S. University, Norman, OK. Committal prayers and interment will be at 2:30 p.m. in Rose Hill Burial Park, 6001 N. Grand Blvd. in Oklahoma City.

To send flowers to the family of Polly Dee Sandlin (Ishmael), please visit our Heartfelt Sympathies Store.

First Visitation

When Monday, November 26th, 2018 12:00pm - 8:00pm
Location
Vondel Smith & Son Mortuary North
Address
13125 N. MacArthur
Oklahoma City, OK 73142
Additional Information The family will receive friends from 5:00 until 7:00 p.m. at the Vondel L. Smith and Son Mortuary North.

Second Visitation

When Tuesday, November 27th, 2018 9:00am - 10:50am
Location
McFarlin Memorial United Methodist Church
Address
419 South University Boulevard
Norman, OK 73069
Additional Information Viewing will be in the Martin Chapel until service time. The casket will not be open after the service.

Funeral Service Information

When
Tuesday, November 27th, 2018 11:00am
Location
McFarlin Memorial United Methodist Church
Address
419 South University Boulevard
Norman, OK 73069

Interment Information

When
Tuesday, November 27th, 2018 2:30pm
Location
Rose Hill Burial Park - OKC
Address
6001 NW Grand Blvd.
Oklahoma City, OK 73118
Interment Extra Info
In the event of inclement weather, the service will be held in the Abbey Mausoleum Chapel.

Reception Information

When
Tuesday, November 27th, 2018 12:00pm - 1:30pm
Location
McFarlin Memorial United Methodist Church
Address
419 South University Boulevard
Norman, OK 73069
Reception Extra Info
Meal of Mercy in the church atrium
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