Olivia Meadows

Mrs. Olivia Ann Pollard Meadows was born May 15, 1935 to the late Deacon Clarence Alexander & the late Deaconess Helen Fidelia Dixon Pollard and passed, after a courageous battle with cancer, on March 16, 2019.

As a lifetime resident of the Town of Cary, Ann grew up in the “Colored” section of the town. She attended Cary Colored School (now Kingswood Elementary School) and worshiped at the Cary Christian Community Church (Now Cary First Christian Church). After attending the Cary Colored School, Ann went on to attend the Historic Berry O’Kelly School located in Method (now Raleigh), North Carolina, graduating with the class of 1955.

After graduating high school Ann worked domestically in the homes of several prominent families in the Cary area. In 1971, Ann moved from the domestic world and joined the Taylor Biscuit Company (formerly, Austin Quality Foods, and now Kellogg) and launched a long loyal career with the manufacturing company. She worked tirelessly for more than 29 (twenty-nine) years until her retirement in 2000.

At an early age she joined the former Cary Christian Community Church, (then Cary First United Church of Christ, now Cary First Christian Church) and accepted the Lord as her personal Savior. She was very active in the United Church of Christ Association, traveling throughout the Carolinas and Virginia, attending and conducting Sunday School Workshops and camps. She attended many institutes at the Franklin Center and was vital in sharing new curriculum with the area churches.

As a lifelong member of Cary Christian Church, she participated and served with the Church Choir, Sunday School, Noon-day bible study, Deaconess Ministry, Kitchen Ministry, OWLS Senior Ministry, Women’s Ministry and anything that involved the children. In 1957, Ann was instrumental in organizing the Junior Missionary Circle with the youth of Cary first.

Through her faith work she met Emmett Molinsey Meadows on May 14, 1977, she and Molinsey were married. Not long after their marriage, Molinsey answered the call into the ministry and began to serve the churches in the UCC Association. Ann traveled alongside her husband to minister the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Molinsey served as an interim pastor and pastor to several churches within the UCC Association and Ann served proudly as a First Lady. As they labored together, she found that God was given her a word for His people as a teacher of the gospel. With the guidance of God and her zeal for His word, Ann stood behind God’s Holy Desk bringing the word of God with great passion. She brought forth many powerful and empowering Women’s Day messages at many churches in the area.

Sadly, God called Rev. Meadows home April 16, 1989.

Along with Church work, Ann served her community as a sitter for children in her community and church. She also was a Respite Care Provider with the Wake County Foster Care Program for 7 years.

Ann was proceeded in to death by her parents, siblings - Esther Pollard Alston (and husband, Samuel), Blondell Pollard Mays (and Husband, Jay), Reverend James Edward Pollard, Sr. (and wife, Beatrice), Linwood Pollard, Sr. (and wife, Betty), Clarence Pollard, Jr. (and wife, Helen), Grace Pollard Ray (and husband, Joseph), Alvin Lee Pollard, Sr., and Doris V. Pollard, brother-in-law – Arthur Lee Ballentine as well as nephews - Brian Pollard and Larry Pollard.

She leaves to remember the wonderful times and cherish her memory, her only living sibling - Helen Ruth Pollard Ballentine of Raleigh, North Carolina., Sister-in-law/Dear Friend – Deaconess Marie Meadows Gibbs of Raleigh, North Carolina, Nephew/God-son/Caretaker – Johnathan L. Pender of the home, Nieces - Barbara Pollard Brown, Lucy Pollard Burke (Cola), Fifi Ray Wright, Joycie Ballentine Singletary, Cyle Pollard, Diane Pollard Dillitzer, Evonne Pollard Moore and Marsha Pollard; Nephews – Reverend James E. Pollard, Jr. (Carol), Reverend Ronald Pollard, Dr. William Pollard (Mariette), Linwood Pollard, Jr., David Angelo Pollard, Charles Pollard, Michael Pollard (Delores), Nelson Pollard (Evelyn), Alvin Pollard, Jr., Clarence Pollard, III (Ursula), Arthur Ray Ballentine (Rita), Z. Gerard Ballentine and Reverend Jimmy Gibbs. Adoptive/Honorary Sisters – Kennie Ferrell Hinton and Patricia Ferrell Burt, Godchildren – Michele Bridges & children, Karen R. Brown & family, and Kenneth Scott, Jr. & family, as well as Children in Christ – Lillie Jones, Rev. Kenneth Scott, Sr. & Family, Stephon & Deborah Walton and family, Marcus & Deacon Patricia McNear and their daughter, Dr. Miranda McNear and Reverend Ronald & Carol Regular and a host of great nieces,  great nephews, cousins, and the entire Cary First Christian Church community.

Funeral services will take place on Thursday, March 21, 2019 at Cary First Christian Church, 1109 Evans Road, Cary, NC at 7:00 PM with visitation preceding the service at 6:30 PM. Public viewing will take place on Thursday prior to the service at Haywood Funeral Home from 12-5 PM.

Interment will take place on Friday, March 22, 2019 at 11:00 AM at Raleigh National Cemetery, Raleigh, NC.

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