Charles Franklin Polston

Charles Franklin Polston (Papaw for Denny's) was born in Melrose, N. M. on Feb. 11, 1918, to Reverend F. O. Polston, who served as Director of Missions for Plains, Portales, and Tucumcari Associations in New Mexico for 33 years, and Mattie D. Monroe Polston. He graduated from Melrose High School in 1936. He graduated from Eastern N. M. Junior College (now University) and holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Howard Payne University, Brownwood, Texas and the degree of Master of Theology from Southwestern Baptist Seminary, Ft. Worth, Texas. Charles and Jeanette Davidson were married Sept. 5, 1941 in FBC, Freer, Texas, and both were enrolled in the Seminary Sept. 9, 1941. Both graduated in July 1945. While in the Seminary, his first church was Greenbriar Baptist Church. Then at two half-time churches: First Baptist Church Covington, Texas and First Baptist Church Abbot, Texas. Following his graduation from the Seminary, he served as pastor of First Baptist Church Blanchard, OK where daughter Linda was born; and First Baptist Church Estancia, and N. M. On Oct. 1, 1948, he became Associate Director of the Baptist Training Department. On Nov. 1, 1952, he became Director of Training Union and Church Music Departments for the Baptist Convention of N. M. He retired Jan. 31, 1981-after 32 years with the Baptist Convention. His wife, Jeannette, passed away Jan. 17, 1978. Mildred Haygood and Charles married on Nov. 22, 1980. He moved to Fayetteville, Ark. March 15, 1996. He was a member of Cross Church in Springdale, Ark. He was preceded in death by his parents; step mom, Imo Polston; sisters, Evelyn Hager Miller and Ruth Rich; and wives, Jeanette Davidson Polston and Mildred Haygood Polston. He is survived by his daughter, Linda Mitchell and her husband Steve Mitchell; brother, David Polston and wife Val of Aztec, N. M.; brother-in-law, Charles Rich of Hazlet, Texas; grandchildren, Mike Mitchell of Fayetteville, Nathan Mitchell and wife Jody of Springdale, Kathy Werner and husband Aaron of Scarborough, Maine, Phil Mitchell of Achworth, Ga.; great-grandchildren, Lexi and Bella Mitchell, Blaeke, Raegan and Brock Mitchell, and Kayla, Kristin, Hannah and Hope Werner. Family will receive friends from 2 to 4 p.m., Sunday at Cross Church in Springdale. Funeral services will be Monday, March 23, 2015, 10 a.m. at Cross Church, Springdale, Ark. with ministers, Dr. Ronnie Floyd, Charlie Foster, and Bill Trueblood officiating. Musician will be Julio Arriola and Chris Emert and Buster Pray. Pallbearers will be Mike Mitchell, Nathan Mitchell, Phil Mitchell, Aaron Werner, Randy Nichols and Sam Owens. Honorary pallbearers will be Syd Caldwell, Jim Roy and the men of heritage Connection Group. Burial will be at the Sunset Memorial Mausoleum in Albuquerque, N. M. Local arrangements are under the directions of Nelson Berna Funeral Home. To sign the online guest book, please visit www.nelsonberna.com.