Pauline “Polly” (Ayers) Speck, 100, entered into rest on March 6, 2017 at Sun Terrace in Prosser. She was born, the 4th of nine children on June 8, 1916 to Charles and Omie (Bradley) Ayers on the family homestead in Marietta, Oklahoma. The family raised corn, cotton and peanuts and always had a vegetable garden. The family moved to Oil Springs, Oklahoma where her dad worked in the oil fields. When Polly was old enough to go to school, the family moved back to Marietta.
After the death of her father in 1928, her Grandpa Bradly came to live with the family and run the farm where they lived in Post Oak. When her brother, Kenneth, returned from a Civilian Conservation Camp in Oklahoma, he brought along his friend, David Speck, for a visit. Polly and David fell in love and were married on August 24, 1940. They couple moved to California for work and lived there until David entered the Army in World War II. Polly and her son, Jack, moved to Florida to be with David while he was stationed at the Army Base at Panama City. After the war, they returned to Oklahoma where their daughter, Linda, was born. Shortly thereafter, the family moved to Cactus, Texas where David was employed by Phillips Chemical Company. The family lived in Texas for the next ten years until transferring to Kennewick in 1957. Polly attended Beautician College and received her Beautician License and worked for several years. After David retired in 1973, the couple moved to Grandview and had many happy years there. Polly enjoyed quilting, gardening, cooking and traveling in their travel trailer. She was a longtime member of the Grandview Church of Christ.
Polly saw many changes over the last 100 years. She remembered rationing of gas, tires and certain foods during World War II, the invention of television, computers and the walk on the moon. Asked about her secret to longevity, she answered, “I don’t have any secrets because I never thought I would live this long”.
Polly is survived by her children, Linda Denchel (Tom) of Prosser and Jack Speck (Ingrid) of Orange Beach, AL; seven grandchildren, Susan Wallin (Troy) of Beaverton, OR, Sheri Denchel (Bert Crane) of Samish, Steve Denchel of Hillsboro, OR, Bob Speck (Jennifer) of Pensacola, FL, Brian Speck (Kim) of Hot Springs, AR, Kelly Maloy (Jeff) of St. Simons Island, GA and Angie Greenhill (Tracy) of Mobile, AL; twelve great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, David in 1996; two sisters; and six brothers.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, March 22nd at the Grandview Church of Christ (116 Fir Street). Concluding services and burial will follow in the Grandview Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the Grandview Church of Christ, American Heart Association, Heartlinks Hospice or the memorial of your choice. You may leave a message for the family at www.Prosserfuneralhome.com