Polly Jo Baitz-Frazier

Polly Jo peacefully started her "Sentimental Journey" on May 15, 2023, at the age of 95. She was born December 7, 1927, in Old Glory, Texas to Middleton “Mid” and Pearl Johnson. She was also blessed with a stepmother, Lorene Johnson. She graduated from Old Glory High School in 1945.

It was in Old Glory that Polly Jo met Bill Baitz, where they married and welcomed their three daughters, Landra, Rhonda, and Billie Jo. She was a farmer's wife that loved her family and friends and had the sacrifices to prove it. She joyfully raised her daughters and their children all the way to the fifth generation. Polly Jo cooked for the hired hands and monitored the crops and weather beside her husband. She supported her kids and grandkids through all their FFA, 4-H, Fundraisers, Birthday Parties, and Sporting Events. Traveling was never a concern, for as we all know, she was going to make the journey. She was a fantastic cook. Her homemade bread, canned goods, Italian cream cake, homemade pickles, and apple pies, just to name a few, were widely known around the Old Glory area. Reruns of old westerns, Pretty Woman, FOX News and the Weather Channel were shows that you were sure to find on visits.

We all have been preparing for this day for a while. However, it’s never real until it is, and you never know how it truly feels until the day has come. She was truly the “Big Mom” to all and played such a special and profound role in each of our lives. She was a true Matriarch of our family.

Polly Jo is survived by her daughters: Landra Post of Merkel and her children: Cary Epley and wife Mindy of Abilene (Jud) and his children Jeff Epley and Nathan Epley of San Angelo and Lyndsey Shaprio and husband, Blayne of Austin with daughter, Quinn Pearl; Greg Epley of Old Glory, his daughter Bailea Leach and husband, Hayden with son, Bowen of Haskell and William Penman Epley of Sagerton; Darin Epley and wife, Amy with daughter, Rayna Jo and son, Waylon, all of New Home; Andrea Epley Schmidt and son, Ethan of Amarillo; Rhonda Baitz of Abilene; Billie Jo and husband, Tony Freeman of Clyde with son, Josh Freeman of Austin; sister, Dalya Hight of Abilene and brother, Gayle Johnson of Old Glory. She is also survived by numerous nieces, nephews, and a host of friends.

Visitation will be 10:00 a.m. Thursday, May 18, 2023, at Tankersley Funeral Home, 807 Columbia, Stamford, TX, Funeral Services beginning at 11:00 a.m. officiated by Darin Epley. Interment will follow in the Rule Cemetery in Rule, TX under the direction of Tankersley Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to: Old Glory Community Center or West Texas Rehabilitation Center.

Memories and condolences may be shared with the family at www.tankersleyfuneralhome.com .