Obituary of pauline j. findley

Pauline (Polly) Jernigan Findley, 89 of Fort Walton Beach, FL , went to be with her Lord on Friday, February 17, 2023. She was surrounded by loved ones and blessed by prayers as she passed from this earthly world. Polly was born in Conecuh County, AL on April 5, 1933 to John and Ethel Jernigan. She married the love of her life, Homer (Pete) Blair Findley in 1949 and was a full-time homemaker and mother to two daughters. She was also a full-time grandmother to her two granddaughters. Polly was one of twelve children growing up on a farm in Cedar Creek Alabama. When she married, she moved to Pensacola where Pete worked at the Naval Shipyard and eventually to Fort Walton Beach for his Civil Service career at Eglin Field. Polly spent her time learning to be an excellent cook and crafting beautiful works of art- her hands were rarely still. Over the years, she embroidered, crocheted, knitted, and created lovely pieces of tatted lace and snowflakes. At Christmas time you can still spot one of her many ceramic nativities showcased in each of her family members homes. In later years, she learned to paint and produced wonderful cypress knee Santa Clauses and painted gourds for many holidays. She was most proud of her work with pastels and was awarded, “Best in Show” in one of the many art shows her beautiful paintings were featured in. Polly was very generous with her many talents, which is easily seen, as many of her amazing works of art are displayed proudly in the homes of those who loved her. When Polly was not creating art she was volunteering her time. She was the first person called to nurse a sick family member or friend. She volunteered her time and talent to Cinco Baptist Church, which she attended almost from the day the doors opened. On Sundays, she could be found teaching Sunday school for many years. Too many hours to count, she spent painting murals for Vacation Bible School, bulletin boards, and faces at church festivals. She was dedicated to visiting those that were ill and covered them in prayers and love. She gave her time and talent for sewing to Hospice by sewing gowns, carrying pouches, and special pillows year after year, for as long as she could. Polly was a Godly woman with a generous servant’s heart and an abundance of talent to share with her community, but what she will be remembered for most is the loving wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother she was. She and her husband, Pete built a solid foundation for their family that will remain strong even in their absence. That was her proudest accomplishment in this life. Polly is survived by her daughters, Cynthia (Cindy) Findley Potts and Rebecca (Becky) Findley McCoy and their husbands Charles Alan Potts and Gary Chandler McCoy who she loved like sons. She will be missed by two granddaughters, Jennifer McCoy Hauer and Lauren McCoy Foster and their husbands Mathew Earl Hauer and Bryan Keith Foster, who she loved like grandsons. Granny will most especially be missed by her four great-grandchildren, Hannah Rebecca Hauer, Chandler James Foster, Colson Gray Foster, and Logan Mathew Hauer. She is survived by her sisters, Margaret Kirkland of Mobile, Betty Wilson (Clay) of Pensacola; brothers, Nova Leigh Jernigan of Pensacola and Johnny Jernigan of Pensacola. ​She is having a joyful heavenly reunion with her spouse of 53 years before his passing Homer (Pete) Blair Findley and her Father and Mother John and Chloe Ethel Jernigan. Sisters and brothers Ethel Eugenia Jernigan Lynch, Jasper Eidson Jernigan, Ina Lucile Jernigan White, Frank Mason Jernigan, Oscar Earl Jernigan, James Alvin Jernigan, Clara Louise Jernigan Findley, and all of their spouses. No formal service is planned, but please join her family in keeping the memories of this wonderful woman alive.