Renee (Polk) Deal

A Legacy of Love for Renee Polk Deal

Renee Polk Deal transitioned peacefully to eternal rest on Tuesday, October 25, 2022, at Coastal Hospice at the Lake, in Salisbury, Maryland.

Born on May 11, 1956, to Shirley Morris Polk and the late Melville Tesco Polk, Renee was the eldest of three daughters.  She was educated in the public schools of Wicomico County graduating from Wicomico Senior High School in 1974.  She earned a Bachelor’s degree in  Elementary Education at Towson University in 1978.  She furthered her education at Salisbury University with a Masters degree in Reading and certification in Administration and Supervision. Mrs. Deal began her teaching career in the Harford County Public Schools at Darlington Elementary School.  After one year, she returned to Wicomico County to teach at North Salisbury Elementary School.  She began teaching 6th grade and then moved to teach 2nd grade in the Magnet Program.  She was promoted to Assistant Principal at Charles H. Chipman Elementary School  in the fall of 1990.  She also served North Salisbury and Fruitland Primary Schools as Assistant Principal, prior to her retirement.  She retired due to health in 2004. Mrs. Deal impacted many students during her illustrious career. Renee was a lifelong member of  St. Paul AME Zion Church where she served in several capacities over the years. She was a faithful member of the Sanctuary Choir until her health prevented her participation. She is most remembered for being an amazing Sunday School teacher for the adult class.  She brought Sunday School lessons to life with practical application to our daily lives.  Mrs. Deal worked tirelessly in the arena of Christian Education even on the former Salisbury District.  She and her late husband, Michael served as Co-Directors of Young Adults on the district for several years.

She was joined in holy matrimony to the late Michael Emmanuel Deal on July 28, 1979.  Though they had no children of their own, they doted on nieces, nephews and godchildren.  

Mrs. Deal leaves to cherish her memory, her mother, Shirley Polk, her sister, Melva Polk Wright, both of Salisbury, brothers-in-law, Elder Ronald Deal, Fruitland, Elder Samuel Deal (Pamela), Catonsville, Elder Aaron Deal (Jacqualynn), sister-in-law, District Missionary Wanda Deal Fields (Horace), godchildren, Blair Mills, Bryan Polk, and Mallory Wright and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. We are also grateful for her two close friends, Esther Daley and Lisa Zackery, from her years at Towson University.

In addition to her father, Renee was preceded in death by her husband, Michael E. Deal, her sister, Ingrid Polk Shockley, and her father and mother-in-law, Elder Porter and Mother Louise Deal.      

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