Polly Handley McAtee, age 87, of Kennett, Missouri, passed from this life, Wednesday, February 12, 2025 at the Flo & Phil Jones Hospice House in Jonesboro, Ar. She was born on July 25, 1937 in Hayti, Missouri. She was preceded in death by her parents: Sam and Esther Handley, sister:  Bernice Landers all of Gideon, Missouri and her husband of fifty years, Benny McAtee of Kennett.

Polly graduated from ASU with a B.S. and Master's Degree in Elementary Education. She taught in Gideon, Clarkton, Campbell and Senath-Hornersville Schools for a total of 30 years.

While attending Gideon High School, Polly was the first female to be elected Student Body President. At ASU she served as President of Phi Mu Sorority and President of all the Women students attending ASU. She was an active long time member of St. Cecilia's Catholic Church in Kennett. She taught Religious Classes and Bible School. Polly was President of the Parish Council and Vice-President of the DCCW Women's organization at St. Cecilia's. She also served as President of the Gideon Alumni Organization and was the Grand Marshal in the 2017 Alumni Parade in Gideon.

To cherish her memory:

Polly leaves behind her 2 children:

Marketta McAtee Childers (Gary) of Jonesboro, Arkansas

Bart McAtee (Laurie) of Kennett

4 grandchildren: Haley Childers Jones (Jett) of Jonesboro, Arkansas, Garrett Childers of Jonesboro, Arkansas

Sydni McAtee and Handley McAtee of Kennett, Missouri and 2 great-grandchildren: Wilder & Townes Jones of Jonesboro, Arkansas.

Many relatives and friends.

The family will receive friends at St. Cecilia Catholic Church 1226 College Ave. Kennett, Missouri 10:00 AM-12:00 PM Monday, February 17, 2025 followed by the Funeral Mass at 12:00 PM with Father David Baunach officiating. Burial in Memorial Gardens Cemetery in Kennett. Honored to serve as pallbearers: Pat Cunningham, Tommy Gurley, Tom Leeker, Matt Weaver, Joe Woolverton and Jake Woolverton. Honorary pallbearers will be "The 1955 Gideon Girls" Melissa Collins, Rita Redman, Wanda Leeker and caregivers: Emily Riffle and Alaysia Long.

For those wishing to leave lasting memorials the family request you please consider St. Cecilia Catholic Church, P.O. Box 306, Kennett, MO. 63857 or Flo & Phil Jones Hospice House, 1148 E. Matthews Ave., Jonesboro, AR. 72401

Online condolences may be made at www.mcdanielfuneralservice.com.

McDaniel Funeral Service of Kennett in charge of the arrangements.