Betty Lou Hammack Polk went home to her Lord on November 15, 2001, after a long struggle with Parkinson's and Alzheimer's diseases. Betty was born February 2, 1927, in Kansas City, Kansas, to George S. and Gladys Hammack. In 1943, her family moved to this area where she graduated from Kennewick High School in 1945. That same year, on September 22, Betty married Richard A. Polk. They were married until his untimely death in 1984.

Betty began her work in bookkeeping and payroll at Visger's Drugstore while still in high school. When her children were older, Betty went back to financial and payroll work for Connecticut Mutual Insurance, the City of Richland, ARHCO, and finally retiring from Rockwell Hanford in 1988. Betty has been an active member at Richland Baptist Church since 1945 - singing in the Choir, teaching Sunday School, and various other activities where volunteers were needed. She was also active in Camp Fire Girls, Gideons Ladies Auxiliary, and Kadlec Auxiliary.

The family would like to thank the staffs of Alterra Wynwood Columbia Edgewater, Richland Life Care Center, and Kadlec Medical Center for the loving, attentive, and compassionate care they have shown Mom in her last years and days. Betty was preceded in death by her husband, Richard A. Polk, Sr.; her parents, George S. and Gladys Hammack; and her brother, Chester Clarence Hammack. She is survived by daughter and son-in-law Myrna and Chuck Frazier of Kennewick, daughter Marsha Polk and son Richard A Polk, Jr. of Richland, grandchildren Elizabeth and Shari Frazier of Richland, Matthew Polk of Galion, Ohio, and Rick Clark of Yakima. She is also survived by brothers George Sanford Hammack and wife Betty of Richland; Henry Hammack and wife Joyce of Ft. Worth, Texas; Fred Hammack and wife Diane of Portland, Oregon, sister Helen Whitney of Newcastle, WA, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Graveside services will be held in Sunset Memorial Gardens at 1 p.m. on November 19, followed by a home-going service at Richland Baptist Church at 2 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in her name to Richland Baptist Church. Visitation will be at Einan’s Funeral Home from 1 to 5 p.m. today.