Polston, Maxine White

  • Thursday, April 18, 2013
Maxine Polston
Maxine Polston

Maxine White Polston, 84, a resident of Chattanooga, Tennessee, died at Alexian Village on Thursday, April 18, 2013.

A native of Cookeville, Tn., she was born May 21, 1928, the first of two daughters to the late H.D. White and Dora Elmore White.  

She is survived by her husband Russell Polston of 57 years; a beloved daughter Leanne ; one niece, one nephew, and two grand nieces. 

She was preceded in death by her special sister, Mary Helen Smith.

In the early years of TVA, she lived in the Chattanooga area for a few years.  It was here she began the study of piano at the age of nine. This remained one the loves of her life.

After attending Tennessee Tech for three years, majoring in piano and music education, she entered The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary School of Church Music in Louisville, Ky., and graduated in 1953 with a Bachelor of Sacred Music degree.

With her husband, Russell Polston, she returned to Chattanooga on Jan. 1, 1957, and it quickly became home. For the next 56 years, she served as organist and/or pianist at Red Bank Baptist Church, Signal Mountain Baptist Church, and First Baptist Church of Chattanooga in the Golden Gateway.

Beginning in her teens, she played for many evangelistic crusades, more than 200 weddings, receptions, memorial services, and interim positions in churches ending as pianist of the Waters Sunday School Class, A special group of adults at First Baptist Church, where she was a member.  Besides faith and family, the motivating sources of her life had been love of church music, the many children and adults she taught at the piano. She played in churches and revivals in Tennessee, Kentucky and Virginia for 67 years.  She was selected to be the pianist for the Southern Baptist Convention in 1955, however she had to withdraw her name, due to a automobile accident

Maxine’s funeral service will be conducted at 2 p.m. on Monday, April 22, in the funeral home chapel with Reverend Don Givens and Dr. Thomas Quisenberry officiating. The family will receive friends one hour before funeral service on Monday.

Music will start at 1:30 p.m. in the chapel of a recording of Maxine playing the piano.

Interment will follow in Hamilton Memorial Gardens

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be to First Baptist Church Golden Gateway, Music Department, 401 Gateway Avenue, Chattanooga, Tn. 37402. 

Arrangements are by the Chattanooga Funeral Home Crematory and Florist, North Chapel, Highway 153, Hixson, Tn. 37343. 

Please share your thoughts and memories at www.ChattanoogaNorthChapel.com.

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