November 23, 1938 - February 12. 2025
Polly Ann Faith was born in Leslie, Arkansas on November 23, 1938, the day before Thanksgiving that year. The fourth and youngest child of Carl Truman Faith and Cloie Minerva Faith (nee Findley), Polly was a difficult breach birth. In keeping with her siblings at the time, Polly claimed that she was even born with chicken pox.
With Polly’s father working various pipeline and trucking jobs, the family moved to Marion, Ohio before settling in Independence, Kansas for her schooling from 5th grade through high school. Polly was an involved and popular schoolgirl. She was a top student (salutatorian of the Class of ’56), active with yearbook and business courses. She had a passion for the arts and starred in every play, dance performance, and choral event. She also led the school’s marching band as the drum majorette and kept the large and heavy baton to prove it.
Upon graduation, Polly began working for Sinclair Oil. Her administrative skills, quick wit, and friendly persona allowed her to be promptly moved to the executive offices and made for an easy transfer to the company’s Tulsa location when her father’s job was also moving to Tulsa. So in 1958, wanting to live “in the country,” Carl and Cloie settled in Bristow, and Polly came with them.
The Faith family had always been active in church and began visiting all the local denominations. The week they visited Bristow Presbyterian, Polly saw a fresh-faced and charismatic man who came right up to the newcomers at the close of the service and introduced himself as Tracy Kelly.
Twelve years her senior, Tracy couldn’t help but notice the charms of Miss Polly Faith. The two soon found themselves as cocoordinators of the church’s youth group. With the entire town rooting for Polly, it only took Tracy five more years to propose, on Christmas Day, 1963. Wasting no time, Polly and Tracy married on February 8, 1964. Their union was blessed with three daughters, Faith, Hope, and Joy, and one protective Border Collie, Shasta. Before Joy was born, the family moved from Meadow Hill to West 6th Street. The 6th Street house became the setting for festive Halloweens and Christmases, yard work, homework, slumber parties, years and years of busy family life, all under Polly’s organized and tender direction, and all commandeered by her incredibly loud and piercing whistle (when necessary).
Polly and Tracy were a marvelous team.They were “hosts” to numerous banking and civic related groups. Polly could remind Tracy of every name and fact about most anyone, and it was evident to all who knew them how much they loved each other.
Likewise, with her girls, Polly struck the perfect balance of being involved while also fostering independence. She gave so selflessly to each daughter, recognizing the individuality of each.
Making costumes, driving to countless lessons and school events, ensuring that the food was hot and the clothes were clean and the lessons were learned. Yet midst busy family life, Polly was often able to surprise her daughters with her lesser-known abilities — perfect swan dives off The Tower at the city pool, rollerskating backwards, even around corners, reciting all the prepositions in less than 15 seconds, and painting with oils still hanging in the girls’ homes today. Faith, Hope, and Joy were blessed!
Equally fortunate were Polly’s grandchildren, Dave, Cloie, Elleon, and Marshall, who affectionately referred to her as GrandPolly. GrandPolly cultivated a special relationship with each of them, truly making life “grand” for all. She was an origami artist, a storyteller, a magician, and a jokester, all wrapped in in one beautiful personality who could also make their favorite snacks, drive them anywhere, mail them surprises, and cleverly teach them morals and manners without their even realizing it. GrandPolly was basically Mary Poppins.
Although she valued her roles as wife, mother, and grandmother above all others,Polly also contributed to the community. She served on the Presbyterian Session, Bristow’s original arts council (BAHC), the Hospital Auxiliary, and was a Red Cross coordinator. She was a member of PEO and the Rotary Anns and was never far from the spotlight, adding her soprano to the church choir, acting and singing in various plays in Drumright’s Boomtown Theater, and providing entertainment for area clubs and causes. In every case, Polly exuded talent, happiness, and a genuine love for others.
As Tracy’s eyesight deteriorated, he and Polly decided to move to Tulsa, closer to doctors and to a home without stairs. They moved from 6th Street in 2004 but continued to be in Bristow frequently, visiting Spirit-Bank and meeting with friends and family.
After a lengthy time of declining health, Tracy died in the late summer of 2012. Having been so dedicated to him, Polly was required to refocus her own life. She began working at SpiritBank full time, handling any needed administrative duties as well as developing business through herpersonal contacts and civic involvement. She humorously added a small sign to her office which read: I may not be in charge, but I know what you should be doing.These words signaled Polly’s wry way of putting others at ease, having the confidence to let the laugh be on her.
Polly began her own health battle in 2019. Through it all, her girls have been supportive and asinvolved as possible. It was their privilege to be alongside her as she peacefully transitioned into the arms of Christ on Wednesday morning, February 12. An extra point of interest is that the 12th is daughter Joy’s birthday and also the anniversary date of Polly’s father’s passing many years previously. The girls agreed, just like their mother to continue to honor family traditions.
Polly is survived by her daughters Faith Clune (Bill), Hope Dobias (Don), and Joy Kelly (Rebecca Howard); grandchildren Dave Dobias (Andra Adams and daughters Dale and Reid), Cloie Dobias, Elleon Dobias, and Marshall Clune; and many loving in-laws and nieces and nephews on both the Faith and Kelly sides.
Let your heart be light as you remember Polly. She lived her life and she loved her life. And now she has life eternal! “I have told you these things so that you may have peace. In the world, you will have tribulation. But take courage, I have overcome the world!” ( John 16:33) Celebration of life service will be Tuesday, February 18, 2025, at 2 pm at Bristow Presbyterian Church under the direction of Hutchins Maples Matherly.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations may be made to: College Hill Presbyterian Church Music Fund, 712 South Columbia Avenue, Tulsa, OK 74104 OrThe Alzheimer’s Association