Pauline "Polly" Lucile (Bengs) Orr

Pauline Lucile Bengs (Polly) Orr was born on September 27, 1931 to Harold Earl and Helen Casey Bengs in Geary, Oklahoma.  She entered heaven’s gates to join her son Jeff, her parents, and many other family members and cherished friends on July 17, 2022.

Polly grew up in Kingfisher, Oklahoma, where she was actively involved in her church, schools, and community.  She was the drum major in the Kingfisher High School marching band, demonstrating her leadership skills and the trust that others placed in her.  Throughout her life she was a strong but quiet leader.  She was always willing to serve and even be in charge, but she never sought the spotlight and always managed to deflect the praise she received to those who helped achieve whatever task they had been working on.  She graduated as Salutatorian of her high school class in 1949 and then enrolled in Oklahoma Baptist University.  She finished her degree there in three years, graduating with highest honors.

Polly married her cherished husband Don on August 3, 1952.  Their marriage was a testament to their love for each other and for the Lord.  The U. S. Army moved the couple to Fort Bragg, NC in 1953.  The Orrs’ plan was to move back to Oklahoma after Don’s required two years of service were over, but that was not God’s plan.  Many loving, supportive people were placed in their lives during this time, and by the time Don had completed his military service, Polly had begun a successful teaching career with the Fort Bragg Schools, Don was offered a job in that organization, and they were firmly planted in serving their church, Snyder Memorial Baptist.  They never regretted this change in plans, and served together to make a lasting impact on many in this community.

Polly was an outstanding elementary school teacher, teaching with the Fort Bragg Dependents Schools, Fayetteville City Schools, and Cumberland County Schools.  She was a dedicated and creative teacher who loved her students and their families.  Countless adults today remember her as one of their very favorite teachers. In addition to being an extraordinary teacher, Polly was a talented writer and storyteller. After retiring as a classroom teacher, she visited many schools to share these gifts with even more children. 

Polly also served her Lord through her church in many ways.  She taught Sunday School for years, beginning as a teacher of high school senior girls, many of whom have shared with her and our family over the years the impact that she made on them at a crucial time in their lives. She and Don also taught couples classes for many years, not only teaching the material, but also modeling what it was like to have a Christ-centered marriage.  Polly was a member of innumerable committees and eventually agreed to be nominated as a deacon.  She loved her Lord and His church, and she was a good and faithful servant.

Polly’s love language was cooking, and her kitchen was her happy place. She loved to prepare holiday and birthday meals for her family and friends, making every special occasion spectacular and leaving no stone unturned in making the guest of honor feel truly honored.  She also prepared and delivered meals for those who were experiencing difficult times.  Many happy memories were created in her kitchen, where she taught her children, grandchildren, great- grandchildren, and friends some of her tricks of the trade as well as how to prepare some of our family’s traditional treats.

Polly was preceded in death by her parents and her firstborn child, Jeff.  There was no better example of Polly’s love than by the way she loved,  cared for, and encouraged Jeff through all of his physical and developmental challenges.  

Polly is survived by her loving husband, Don; her daughters, Beth Dees (former husband Brent) and Lisa Orr; her grandchildren, Matt Dees (Becky), of Durham; Robert Dees of Missoula, Montana, and Sarah Dees Mou (Mike) of Bethesda, Maryland; her great grandchildren, Aidan and Caroline Dees, and Mitchell Mou; her brother, Earl Bengs (Sherry); sister, Marlene Tompkins (Randy); several loving nieces and nephews, and countless cherished friends. 

The family expresses our heartfelt gratitude for the love and support that we have felt through these difficult times. Special thanks to the entire staff of Pruitt Health Hospice and to Mom’s loyal caregiver Edna Herring-Jolliffe. We know that there are many people who loved her and will miss her because so many people were well loved by her. 

A Memorial Service will be held on Thursday, July 21, 2022, at 11:00am at Snyder Memorial Baptist Church.  The family will receive friends following the service in the Gathering Hall.  

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Snyder Memorial Baptist Church (20/20 Vision Plan) http://www.snydermbc.com/give/ or Fayetteville Area Operation InAsMuch. http://www.faoiam.org         

Services entrusted to Jernigan-Warren Funeral Home, 545 Ramsey St., Fayetteville, NC 28301

Online condolences may be sent to http://www.jerniganwarren.com

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