Pauline Mikell LAROCHE

PAULINE MIKELL LAROCHE CHAPPELL (POLLY) of Midland passed away at her home on November 15, 2005 after a long and courageous battle with Alzheimer's Disease. Born to Julie and Bruce LaRoche on March 16, 1916, in Birmingham, Alabama, Polly spent her early years on Edisto Island, South Carolina and in Dallas, Texas, where she graduated from Highland Park High School and attended Southern Methodist University. In 1938, she married Clovis Chappell, and they lived in various towns in Louisiana and Texas before moving to Houston. Six years later, they moved to Midland with their three daughters and the whole family quickly considered Midland home. Polly will be remembered as a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend by all who knew her. Regardless of how she felt, she was always ready to cook and care for anyone who needed her, and she spent untold hours with her grandchildren, Melissa Light DeAyala, Jennifer Davis Hord, Shelley Davis Harper, David W. Light, IV, M.D., Mikell Miles Abney, and Meredith H. Miles. She also enjoyed her fourteen great-grandchildren as her health permitted. Polly was preceded in death by her husband, her parents, her brothers, Bruce LaRoche and Julian LaRoche, and her brother-in-law, Robert H. Chappell, M.D. She is survived by her daughters, Polly Chappell Davis and husband, Ferrell, of Midland, Marian (Mimi) Chappell Miles and husband, Scott, of Dallas, and Carolyn Chappell Light and husband, David, of Houston, her grand children and their spouses, E.F. DeAyala of Houston, Dan Hord of Bellville, Jack Harper of Midland, Susan A. Light of Houston, and William K. Abney of Midland, her great-grandchildren, her sisters-in-law, Katherine C. LaRoche, of Houston and Billie D. Chappell of Tulsa, and several nieces and nephews. The family extends a special thanks to her devoted caretakers Estella Beltran, Louisa Navarette, Virginia Ortega and Veronica Esparza. Memorial services will be held in the First United Methodist Church Glass Chapel, Polly's church home for over fifty years, on Friday, November 18, 2005 at 10:00 a.m. following a family burial. The family asks that memorials be sent to Hospice of Midland, P. O. Box 2621, Midland, Texas 79702, or the charity of your choice. Arrangements are under the direction of Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home & Crematory of Midland. Online condolences can be made at www.npwelch.com. Published in the Houston Chronicle on 11/17/2005.