Mrs. Francine (Ivery) Poller

Mrs. Francine Ivery Poller was the only child born to Corine Ivery Cobb and Mose Newborn, and the only grandchild of Lillie (Mama Lillie) Reed Ivery.  Born in Waycross, Georgia, Francine was a graduate of Center High School (Class of 1950) and a graduate of Savannah State College (Class of 1955).  She received her master’s degree in Mathematics from Atlanta University in 1962. Known as a strict taskmaster who was passionate about preparing her students for the future, she taught mathematics at Center High School for eight years.  She continued her career in education as a math teacher and guidance counselor in the Dade County School System (Miami, Florida) for twenty-eight years.

At an early age she joined St. Peters Baptist Church where she served faithfully until she moved to Miami in 1966.  In 1968, she joined Mt. Tabor Baptist Church, and was a faithful member until she returned to her hometown of Waycross in 1994.  She reunited with St. Peters, serving as the church treasurer and President of the Mother’s Board.

In October 1956, Francine married her high school sweetheart, Frank Poller.  Their union produced one child, Wayne S. Poller, Sr.

Outside of the classroom and sanctuary, she dedicated her time and energy to helping others in her community.  She was a proud Golden Soror of the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, member and former President of the Ware County Branch of the NAACP , coordinator of the Angel Tree Ministry, tutor, mentor, and anonymous benefactor to those in need locally and throughout the country.

Those left to cherish her memory include her two sons Wayne Stanley Poller, Sr. (Nathalie) and Jimmy Poller; three daughters, Paula Poller Parrish (Lester), Lafonda Dawkins (Ezra), and Kathy Burns (Leonard); two sisters-in-law Susan Crawford and Mary Lee Poller; seven grandsons,  Wayne S. Poller, Jr., Sylvester Mills, Jr., Troy Poller, Emmanuel Burns, Eric Mitchell, Warren Allen, and Perry Williams (Lisa);  six granddaughters, Stephanie Mills, Shayron Brown (Dennis), Shaneen Netter (Mario), La’keesha Mitchell, Kamesha Barnes (Corey), and Deidra Hawkins; devoted cousins, Booker Daniels, Josephine Dumas, Mary Thomas, and Rev. Joe Johnson, Jr.; twenty-three great grandchildren, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, godchildren, and friends.

A graveside service will be held Saturday November 7, 2020 at 11:00 a.m. in Hazzard Hill Cemetery with her church pastor, Dr. Norris Woods, presiding and Rev. Fer-rell M. Malone Sr., pastor of Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church, Waycross, bring words of comfort.

Final and most sacred arrangements are entrusted to the professional care of Fluker Funeral Home, 985 Ossie Davis Parkway, Waycross, GA.

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