Max Edward Polk

Published 12:26 pm Thursday, June 12, 2025

Max Edward Polk passed away Wednesday, June 11, 2025 at River Region Medical Center in Vicksburg. He was born May 18, 1942 in Shreveport, Louisiana, the eldest son of John Thomas Polk and Robertine Higgins Polk of Lake Providence.

He was preceded in death by his parents and a beloved brother, Robert Polk. He is survived by his wife of over 31 years, the love of his life, Linda Lane Polk; son, Max; daughter, Tracy; other relatives and friends; and his fur babies, Bobby Blue and Chia. He grew up in Lake Providence, Louisiana and attended both Catholic and public schools. When Max was only nine years old, his father passed away, a tragedy and hardship that he endured with strength and
determination beyond his years. Growing up, he spent a great deal of time on the farm of his grandparents, Albert Marvin Higgins Sr. and Ether Carter Higgins. He gained many skills and developed much common sense under the guidance of his grandparents, and happily helped with chores including feeding livestock, mending fences, gardening and even churning butter.

After chores were completed, fueled by his grandmother’s cooking, free time was filled with romping in the woods, riding horses, fishing and hunting. He cherished memories of those years, and often said he was “one of the last of a dying breed,” and considered it a privilege to have grown up in this fashion.

He began his career in the early 1960s with Letourneau Inc., later being employed in the nuclear field as a pipefitter, welder and valve technician through Plumbers and Pipefitters Local 619 in Vicksburg, and enjoyed working in many states before retiring from Grand Gulf Nuclear Power Station.

His many hobbies included gardening, fishing and hunting. He and Linda enjoyed many happy hours canning and preserving the fruits of their labors. They also enjoyed traveling, especially cruises to the Caribbean and Alaska, their trips to The Ark Encounter, Creation Museum and Shaker Village in Kentucky and west to The Grand Canyon and other points of interest.

Visitation will be held Tuesday, June 17, 2025 from 1 until 3 p.m. at Glenwood Funeral Home, 145 Highway 80, Vicksburg, MS, with funeral services at 3 p.m. in the chapel, followed by burial in Cedar Hill Cemetery in Vicksburg. Father Rusty Vincent will officiate.

Pallbearers will be Kevin Mahoney, Jody Higgins, Daniel Riles, Joseph McCormick Jr., Mike Hogan, Joe Mocknick, Robert Foley and Brad Warnock.

Max was a member of St. Paul Catholic Church. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Paul Catholic Church, Vicksburg Warren Humane Society, or a favorite charity.

St. Paul Catholic Church
713 Crawford St.
Vicksburg, MS 39180

The Vicksburg-Warren Humane Society
6600 Hwy 61 South
Vicksburg, MS 39180