Pauline Carolyn Underwood

Pauline ("Polly") Yandell Underwood

1934-2026

Pauline ("Polly") Yandell Underwood, a long-time resident of Snyder, died February 15 in Waco, Texas on her 92nd birthday.

Faith, family, and service were central to the life of Polly. She served for years as District Clerk of Scurry and Borden Counties and as a leader at the First Baptist Church of Snyder, Colonial Hills Baptist Church, and the Cogdell Memorial Hospital's Ladies Auxiliary. She gifted her family with a foundation in Jesus and His teachings. She was a "mama bear" for her grandchildren and great grandchildren. A generous, kind, funny, and spunky character, Polly was loved and admired by many. She made people laugh. Polly established an enduring legacy for her devoted family, who loved and cherished her dearly.

A memorial service for Polly will be held at 2 pm Sunday, February 22 at Colonial Hill Baptist Church in Snyder with her grandson, Rev. Brett Gibson of Waco, officiating, assisted by Jonathan Gressett of Abilene. A reception and visitation will be held immediately following the service at the church. A private family graveside service will be held prior to the memorial service at Hillside Memorial Gardens in Snyder.

Polly was born February 15, 1934, in Shawnee, Oklahoma, to Frank and Adna Yandell. In 1950, before her junior year in high school, she and her parents moved to Snyder from Salem, Illinois, where she spent most of her childhood. Her father was transferred to Snyder by his employer, Magnolia Oil Company, as part of the Scurry County "oil boom" of the 1950s. In 1952, she graduated from Snyder High School where she was Miss SHS, Senior Class Secretary, and the piano accompanist for the SHS Choir. While a senior, she met and fell in love with Ned Underwood, a tall, lanky basketball player. Ned earned a basketball scholarship at Texas Tech University where he received multiple honors.

Polly and Ned married in June of 1954, the summer before Ned's sophomore year at Tech. At the beginning of Ned's junior year, Max was born and twelve months later Max's sister Pam was born. During their years in Lubbock, Polly worked at a large accounting firm, took care of two young children, and helped her husband with his college studies while he traveled across the state and nation playing college basketball. In 1957, Polly and Ned returned to their hometown of Snyder where they lived until 2015 when they moved to Waco to be closer to family.

In her retirement years, Polly and Ned visited many sites across Texas, the Southeast U.S., and Salt Lake City where they gathered detailed information on the family's genealogy. She and Ned also found great joy watching their grandchildren play tennis and traveling to many of their matches where she was a faithful cheerleader. She enjoyed traveling with Ned to many places in the U.S. and international destinations such as China, Europe, Canada, and Mexico, often taking their grandchildren with her. She and Ned were organizing members of Wheels, an organization for antique and classic car enthusiasts.

Polly and Ned were married for 61 years. He preceded her in death in 2015. Survivors include daughter Pam Gibson of Waco; son Max Underwood and his wife Debbie of Colleyville; four grandchildren--Brett Gibson and his wife Christina of Waco; Ryan Gibson and his wife Megan of Waco; Brad Underwood and his wife Laura of Glenview, Illinois; and Emily Underwood Prizer and her husband Blake of Frisco. She is also survived by her sister-in-law Carolyn Underwood of Mesquite. Polly is survived by fourteen great grandchildren, a dear nephew, and many wonderful nieces. Polly was preceded in death by her parents and by her beloved brother Paul Yandell.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Gateway Family Services, P.O. Box 1394, Snyder, TX 79550. Gateway Family Services is a non-profit shelter located in Snyder that services survivors of family violence, sexual assault and human trafficking in Scurry and surrounding counties. You can also give at the link provided below.

https://www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_button_id=S5HGMECWHMMP2