Rita Denise "Put" Polk (Shepard) Obituary (1953 - 2023)

Rita Denise Polk, lovingly known as "Put," was born on November 15, 1953, in Ottawa, KS. Rita resided in Topeka, KS, where she peacefully departed to her heavenly home surrounded by love and family on May 22, 2023. She accepted Christ as her Savior at an early age and proceeded with baptism before her departure. Rita attended Topeka High School. She loved being a mother and being with her family. She was definitely a woman with many roles. In her spare time, when she was not working or spending time with her grandchildren, she especially enjoyed coloring. She also loved to cook. Rita is proceeded in death by her father Ernest Shepard Sr., mother, Betty Shepard, husband, Ronald Polk Sr., brothers, Marlon Shepard, Michael Shepard, Ernest Shepard Jr., Troy Shepard, sisters, Vicky Shepard, Windy Peterson, Donna, and a host of other family members. Left to cherish her memory are her son Ronald Polk Jr., brother, Alan Shepard (Lakeyla), sisters, Debra Ford (Arthur), Tracy Cobin (Calvin), Betty Shepard (Burnice), and Minnie Brooks. She also leaves behind cherished memories with her eight grandchildren: Ronique Polk, Desean Johnson, Sha-Ron Polk, Jaylah Polk, Mirakol Polk, Sarai Polk, Aneesia Polk, and Allahja Polk, six great-grandchildren, and a host of nieces and nephews. Dear grandma, God looked around his garden And found an empty place He then looked down upon the earth And saw your tired face He put his arms around you And lifted you to rest. God's garden must be beautiful, He always takes the best. He knew that you were suffering He knew you were in pain He knew that you would never Get well on earth again. He saw the road was getting rough And the hills were hard to climb. So he closed your weary eyelids And said, "Peace be thine". It broke our hearts to lose you But you didn't go alone. For part of us went with you The day God called you home. I love you grandma, -Sha-Ron