Barbara Ann Brooks Goad Polodna was born on August 16, 1936 in Memphis, Tennessee to the great delight of her parents, James David Brooks, Sr. and Dorothy Evelyn Moit Brooks. She left her earthly body on August 18, 2020 in Fairfield Bay, Arkansas. She lost her father and mother in 1980 and 1981, respectively. Her brother, Jimmy. Jr. shared a loving life with their parents, surviving the depression and their mother’s devastating illness which left her disabled for life. Barbara and her brother were mere toddlers when this occurred. During an extended period of their mother’s hospitalization, Barbara’s dear Aunt, Lillie Hammontree, helped raise her so that her father could work for the family and care for his beloved wife. For that, she always remained grateful to Aunt Lillie. When Barbara and her brother were grown, they welcomed the unexpected birth of a baby sister, Deborah Kaye Brooks. Because of their mother’s disability, Barbara became a second mother to Debbie. For that, Debbie has always been grateful. After her mother returned home toward the end of WWII, Barbara and Jimmy, Jr. became helpmates for their mother and Barbara began what would become a long journey full of love, laughter, music, kids, and an insatiable desire to live life to the fullest, her deep faith in God and family always guiding her way.

Kids? And wow, did she have them. With her first husband, Kenneth DeShon Goad, they produced five of the most vivacious and loving children one could hope to have. Vikki (Vikki Diane Goad Stansberry) was the first born in 1952, then Norma (Norma Lynn Goad Moore) in 1954, Ricky (Richard Deshon Goad) (Lou Ann) followed along, being the older son born in 1956 and the younger son David Kent Goad came along in 1957. And finally, there was “Little Lisa” (Lisa Anne Goad Gagne) (George) in 1959. Unfortunately, Barbara and the rest of the grieving family lost Vikki in 2004 after a long fight with cancer. The children lost their father in 1991 and Barbara lost her brother in 1985.

Aside from God and her Church, music defined Barbara’s life. She started singing on radio at age 7 on a local Memphis show called Young America Sings and later a local Memphis tv program called Beyond the Clouds. Often, she shared the microphone with her lifelong friend, Johnnie Shepard. They were the dynamic duo of Christian song. Barbara was a favorite for weddings and funeral services supplying the mourners with her rich near-operatic rejoices of God and his tender mercies. She even helped form a singing group for two of her daughters and their friends called the Loyal Teens who, with her astute tutelage, won many talent shows and participated in church singings.

Barbara had an extraordinary talent for finding affordable, but enjoyable activities for her growing brood of children. Drive-In movies were a favorite especially on one-price for a carload night with pint-sized arms and legs flailing about in the back seat before seat belts competing for the best view, trips to the Mid-South Fair with 6 kids dangling behind her hand-in-hand, snaking through the concession stands, the amusement rides and exhibits. But she also found some pretty unusual, let’s say, “alternative” ways to keep the children busy. Considering the size of the family, she was able to finesse “private” tours of radio and tv stations, bakeries, Coca Cola bottling plants, and free concerts at the Overton Park Shell on Thursday nights in the summer. She knew that at the end of each tour, the children would be given a free treat which delighted the children and made for a quiet ride home.

Barbara started her professional life as a Manager for Treasury Department Store in Memphis. Barbara left her hometown for California about 1980 seeking more challenges. Music was always her forte, but she had many, many other talents. In California she was a buyer for The J.C. Penney’s Treasury division where she enjoyed trips to New York and bought a new outfit every time she went. After moving to Florida, she sold real estate as an agent for Coldwell-Banker. With family, work, church, hobbies and travel, no grass grew her famous gold-colored dancing shoes.

Through their mutual working relationship with Penney’s, she met and married her second husband, Paul Vincent Polodna in 1982. For many years they worked, played and worshiped in Florida before retiring. After retiring, the couple made many, many trips over the years to Fairfield Bay to, among other things, enjoyed the fall colors. After retirement, they decided to make their permanent home in “The Bay.” Over the years, Barbara and Paul, traveled extensively to visit family in Florida and Hawaii, for a conference in France, to Memphis, and many trips to be with Vikki in Nebraska during her illness. Any chance they had, Paul and Barbara loved to going dancing.


Barbara was “Mimi” to her grandchildren, Brandi Highfill, Crystal Highfill, Daniel Lawson, Rachel Lawson, Heather Stansberry, Deshon Stansberry, Matthew Goad, Michael Goad and Morgan Goad. She also leaves a host of great grandchildren.


We miss you.

A memorial service will be held Thursday, August 20, 2020, 10:00 a.m. at the Fairfield Bay Baptist Church. Live stream will be available via Facebook.

Arrangements entrusted to Clinton Funeral Service. To sign Barbara’s online guest book, please go to www.clintonfuneralservice.com.

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