Julia Pollock Plonk

Mary Julia Pollock Plonk

Julia Plonk died March 5, 2015 at Hospice House in Kings Mountain, NC. She had celebrated her 91st birthday in May. During Julia's growing up years, her mother, Linnie Pollock, was the only 5th grade teacher in Kings Mountain. Julia said when it was her turn to be in 5th grade, she sat in the back of the room and kept her mouth shut. Julia was married to Clarence Plonk, AKA C.S. Plonk, Junior Plonk and Sonce. Julia and Clarence had known each other from early childhood. He was in the same class with her in the "town" school when the family began attending Kings Mountain Schools. Julia often went to the Plonk Place to spend the night with her friend, the youngest daughter, Clara. Julia and Clarence began dating in their teens. When it became evident that Clarence would go overseas for WWII, she became his war bride at 19. To her knowledge, Julia was the first married student to attend the Women's College, later known as UNCG. After Clarence's tours in Africa, Italy and France and the end of the war, Julia and Clarence bought parcels of property to build their own farm and home place on Cherryville Road, Highway 216. They were married for 50 years, until Clarence's death in 1993. She wore Clarence's wedding ring for the rest of her life.

Julia was an only child and had dreamed of a large family of her own. She and Clarence had 6 children Tommy, Ken, the twins, Mike and Steve, Judy and Richard. Julia is survived by all her children, 17 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren. The families are Tommy and his wife Becky and their children, their daughter Julie, their son Joe and his wife Maureen, and their children Brian, J.D., Jacob, and Brielle; their son Josh, his wife Michelle and their children Ian and Liam; their son Jim and his wife Erin, their children Eden, Esme and Noah. Ken and his step daughters, Leslie Altman and Angie Altman. Mike and his wife Sue and their children, son Zachary, daughter Kristen, Mike's stepdaughter Robin Hudson and her husband Scott, and stepdaughter Morgan Bockskopf; Steve and his wife Susan and his children from his first marriage, his daughter Stephanie, his son Sam and wife Elena, their son Nathan and a baby girl is expected in April and son Will and his wife Mallie; Judy and her husband Steve Davis and their children Sam, Matt, Mary Lee, and Hannah. Julia and Clarence ran a dairy, produce, beef, chicken and pork farm. They grew, harvested, or hunted the all the food for the family. The garden produced vegetables and fruits for summer consumption. Julia's hard work of canning and freezing insured there would be the tomato sauce, vegetables, jellies and jams needed for the remainder of the year. Julia made butter, collected eggs, baked and cooked for the thriving family and employees needed to run the farm. Clarence was a meat wholesaler, providing beef and pork to family operated green grocers around Cleveland, Gaston and surrounding counties. Every winter Monday, Julia cooked enormous batches of homemade Plonk Livermush to be delivered to stores like Blalock's, Fall's, Hord's, Macs, Margrace, Pauline's, and H and H. Side by side with the livermush in the meat case was Plonk Sausage ground and mixed by hand on the Plonk farm.

Julia, Clarence and their children were founding members of Resurrection Lutheran Church. Julia recalls digging the soil, carrying bricks, and sewing the original vestments for the sanctuary on her home machine. For many years, Julia was deeply involved in her beloved Resurrection, teaching Sunday School, Vacation Bible School, organizing egg hunts, singing the choir and serving her Lord every day.

As the children became school aged and the older ones enrolled in college, it was time for Julia to begin working away from the farm. Julia relished her 18 years of teaching first grade at West Elementary with the sister of her heart, Edie Bridges. She loved it, and her students. After she retired in 1985, Julia and Clarence were able to travel to visit grandchildren and enjoy retirement together. After Clarence's death, Julia continued to devote herself to her family, friends and church during her long and happy life.

FUNERAL SERVICE: Resurrection Lutheran Church, Friday, March 13, 2015 2:00 P.M. Rev. Mike Varn, officiating.

VISITATION: 6:00 - 8:00 P.M. Thursday evening, March 12, 2015 at Harris Funeral Home and one hour prior to the service on Friday, March 13, 2015.

INTERMENT: St. Luke Cemetery, Kings Mountain, North Carolina

MEMORIALS: Resurrection Lutheran Church, 600 Crescent Circle, Kings Mountain, NC 28086 or Charity of Donor's Choice.