Reverend Bobby Mack Polk, 96, of Johnson City, entered his eternal rest on June 10, 2026, surrounded by the love of family he faithfully prayed for throughout his life. Born to the late Grady and Annie Polk, he was also preceded in death by his wife of 74 years Ruth Polk who died November 20, 2023 and by two brothers, Jimmy and Harold.

Rev. Polk was a 1948 graduate of Science Hill High School and earned degrees from East Tennessee State University and Southeastern Theological Seminary.

A member of Central Baptist Church in Johnson City, Rev. Polk lived out his calling with humility, steadiness, and a pastor’s heart. He served faithfully in pastoral ministry for more than forty years, including pastorates at Falls Street Chapel (Johnson City), Shallow Ford Baptist (Erwin), Oak Street Baptist (Elizabethton), Cross Roads Baptist (Hillsborough, NC), First Baptist (Jellico), and Westchester Baptist (High Point, NC).

In 1980, Rev. Polk followed the Lord’s call and was appointed as a missionary with the Foreign Mission Board of the Southern Baptist Convention, serving in Bogotá, Colombia. After returning to the United States, he continued ministry as Associational Missionary for the Lawrenceburg Baptist Association and later the Watauga Baptist Association.

He is survived by his sister, Margie Markwood; daughter, Donna Kay Depew (Dennis); sons, Alan Polk (Pamela) and Stephen Polk (Kathy); six grandchildren; thirteen great‑grandchildren; and one great‑great‑granddaughter.

A graveside committal service will be held at 10 a.m. Monday June 22, 2026, at Happy Valley Memorial Park in Elizabethton, with Pastor Dan Wood and Joe Ledford officiating. Pallbearers will be his great grandsons. Family and friends will assemble at the funeral home at 9:20 a.m. Monday to go in procession to the cemetery. The family will receive friends at Central Baptist Church, Johnson City, at 11:30 a.m., followed by a Celebration of Life service at 1:00 p.m. Monday Pastor Adam Polk, Dr. Tommy Hood, and Ron Bowman will lead a service of worship and thanksgiving. Music will be lead by the music staff of Central Baptist Church.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Central Baptist Church Worldwide Mission Fund.

The family expresses their heartfelt appreciation to the many friends of Oak Street Baptist Church and Central Baptist Church for their calls, visits, and cards. Your kindness has been a source of comfort and strength. We are also grateful to the employees of Brookdale Senior Living and Amedisys Hospice for the compassionate care and support they provided to our father. Condolences may be sent to the family at our web-site www.memorialfcelizabethton.com.

Memorial Funeral Home , Elizabethton is serving the Polk family.