Tollese Poland

Tollese Poland, age 90, of Yukon, Oklahoma, formerly of Forrest City, died March 8, 2021 after suffering with severe dementia. She was born October 25, 1930, to Wilbur and Ophelia Thomas Lawson. She married Kenneth Eugene Poland, March 4, 1951. Tollese will be remembered as a good friend, hardworking and a woman of great faith with a servant heart. She developed a strong work ethic in her youth growing up in a large family on a small farm. As a devoted wife and mother, she raised 2 daughters while working full-time jobs. She will be fondly remembered as a sister, mother, beloved grandmother, great-grandmother, mother-in-law, and to her many nieces and nephews simply as “Aunt Tot.” Tollese and her husband Gene, never grew tired of welcoming people into their home and their small home quickly became the gathering place for family and friends for almost all occasions. Whether a fish fry or a barbeque, Tollese prepared all the fixings and trimmings while Gene prepared the meat or fish for everyone who showed up. Tollese tirelessly prepared a large garden each spring and the abundant vegetables were evidence of her green thumb. She also took care of mowing and routine yard maintenance by herself. This ritual went on year after year well into her 80’s. She was also an excellent seamstress and she loved making quilts and a variety of crafts. Her devout Christian Life manifested itself with weekly Sunday church attendance and daily bible reading. She had a very deep love for Landmark Baptist Church and her church family. In 2017, Tollese said goodbye to her Forrest City family and friends and moved to Yukon, Oklahoma to live with her daughter, Jeanie. She remained there until our Lord took her home. She was preceded in death by her husband, Gene Poland, her parents, and siblings: Ray Lawson, Marion Lawson, Elsie Crossen and Dottie Mauppin. Tollese is survived by her daughters: Jeanie Van Vranken (Thomas) of Yukon, Oklahoma and Kathy Richmond (Joe) of Pine Bluff, Arkansas. She is also survived by 3 grandchildren, Valerie Van Ness Oborny (Craig) Oklahoma City, Bradley Van Vranken (Shari) Van, Texas and Cody Morris (LaShan) Sherwood, Arkansas as well as 11 great grandchildren: Gabriel, Grace, Isaac, Ash Marie, Michael, Sara, Emelia, Mary Nell, Cecelia and Magdalene Van Ness and Luke Van Vranken. Sisters, Joyce Bratton and Amy Chastain also survive Tollese as well as many beloved nieces and nephews, neighbor and good friend, Marie Sharp, and her many friends in the area as well as her church family at Landmark Baptist Church. Pall Bearers will be nephews: Bill Poland Jr., Larry Poland, Richard Brewster and great grandchildren: Isaac Van Ness, Michael Van Ness and LCpl Van Ness. Services for Mrs. Poland will be held at Stevens Funeral Home Chapel, 10:00 A.M., Friday, with burial in Forrest Park Cemetery. Visitation will be Thursday, March 11, 2021, 6:00 till 8:00 P.M, at Stevens Funeral Home with Stevens Funeral Home in charge of arrangements. Memorials may be sent to Landmark Baptist Church, 1107 S Washington St. Forrest City, AR 72335, Good Shepherd Hospice 4350 Will Rogers Pkwy Ste 400 OKC, OK 73108 or a charity of your choice. You may log on to stevensfuneralhome.net for the online registry. You may view the service on zoom by using ID: 795 1508 2840, Passcode: kbRF91.

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Tollese Poland

October 25, 1930 - March 8, 2021