James Etta Polk was born on July 11, 1958 to Evelyn Penn Polk and James C. Polk, Sr. in Austin, Texas. Originally her first name was Jane but since so many people thought she was named after her father James they begin to call her James Etta. By the time she was 6 years old her mother agreed to have it legally changed to James. Her uncle nick named her Doonie and to this very day she is affectionally called Doonie by those who know and love her.

James Etta walked through life knowing God loved her and accepted Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior and was baptized at Mount Olive Baptist Church in Austin, Texas under the pastoral leadership of A.L. Sneed. She exemplified what a true Christian should be by exhibiting the fruits of the Spirit through love, compassion, peace, patience, long suffering and joy. There was not a person she would not help by opening up her home for a place to stay, her arms for a comforting hug or her pocketbook for those in financial need. She was firm believer in fairness, kindness, community service and loving people where they were at in life no matter the place their life was in.

James Etta attended elementary, middle school and high school in the Austin Independent School District. She graduated from A.S. Johnston in 1976. She furthered her education by attending Business College at Nickson-Clay Business College.

During her senior year of high school she participated in A.S. Johnston’s On The Job Training program where she began her career working for the State of Texas. During the early part of her twenties she held several positions to include working for the IRS but decided to return as an employee for The State of Texas. She began working for The State of Texas’s Department of Disability Determination Services as a mail clerk in the mailroom. She worked her way up the career ladder and became an Administrative Assistant in the Payment Processing Department where she later retired from in 2014.

Anyone who knew James Etta knew that she enjoyed eating seafood boils, Mexican Food with a big appetite for homemade menudo, soul food with her favorite being oxtails with stewed okra and fruit especially white flesh watermelons.

She was an avid fan of all sports genres and rooted for all the Texas Teams to include the UT Longhorns, San Antonio Spurs and her favorite sports team of all time The Dallas Cowboys! When Venus and Serena Williams entered the world of Tennis this elevated her love for the sport of Tennis and she made sure to follow their careers every chance she got.

Her past times included watching tv dramas and game shows, trying her luck at the casinos where she would win a good deal of the time and traveling especially to tropic places like the Dominican Republic. You could hear her playing the music of her favorite R&B singer aka her husband Gerald Levert. Her favorite past time was sitting in the sun outside while giving and receiving love with those she cherished most, her kids, grandkids, family and friends.

She walked into Heaven on Tuesday, June 25, 2024 where she was welcomed by her father James C. Polk, Sr., her mother Evelyn Penn Polk, her brother Herman Polk, her granddaughter London Dior “LuLu” Polk, her maternal and paternal grandparents and her best sister-friend Lisa Love.

Her love will live on in her children Shameka Holmes, Tristan Polk, Terrence Polk and Shaunte Fisher; bonus son Dwayne Fisher Jr.; grandchildren Taniya Fisher, Brejohn Berry, Terranae Polk and bonus granddaughter Brooklynn White who affectionately calls her Mama and NeNe.

Her love will live on in her sisters Juanita Westbrook, Shirley Polk and Debra Polk, brother James C. Polk, Jr. and brother-in-law Larry Westbrook; nieces Donje’ Penn, Evelyn Polk, Destiny Polk, Jamya Polk, nephews Robert Polk, Roderick Polk, Jeremy Polk; bonus nieces Lori Martin and April Martin; bonus nephews Roderick Easley and William “Trey” Martin III; great-nieces Aisha Polk, Teraiji Roberts and Tayla Clark; bonus great-nephew Harlem Goldsmith who affectionately call her Sister and Auntie.

Her love will live on in her lifelong friends Dwayne Fisher Sr., Elaine Davidson, Faith Remus, Gail Russell, Janet Mack, Linda Cavanaugh, Mary Raigosa, Amber Mack, her granddaughter’s mothers Shay Carter and Ashley White as well as a host of family and friends whom she loved dearly.

A visitation for James Etta will be held Saturday, July 6, 2024 at 2:00 PM at Cook-Walden/Capital Parks Funeral Home, 14501 North Ih-35, Pflugerville, TX 78660, followed by her homegoing celebration at 3:00 PM.

https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/pflugerville-tx/james-etta-polk-11877896