PASTOR S.D. POLLARD: 1938-2011 | A legacy of leadership, inspiration

MANATEE -- Pastor Samuel “Dock” Pollard Jr. is expected to be remembered today as a pillar of Manatee County who made a difference in the lives of thousands with his “Expect a Miracle” philosophy at Mount Raymond Full Gospel Baptist Church.

But perhaps the most telling thing about Pastor Pollard, who died June 1 after 44 years as the pastor of one of the county’s largest churches, was not as the administrator or preacher he was at Mount Raymond, but the husband he was to Versia Pollard.

Not only did Pastor Pollard keep the dishes washed and the sink clean for his wife of 44 years, but he cooked, did laundry, was always there with a kind word and, remarkably, wrote out his will and own obituary to make things easier for his wife when he died.

That obituary, which was published in the Herald Thursday, let people know they could come and see him one last time during today’s wake 6-8 p.m. at the church, 2410 Fourth Ave. E., Palmetto.

More than 1,000 are expected to overflow the church, said Sheila Johnson, Pastor Pollard’s goddaughter.

“Anything he thought made life better for me, he did,” Versia Pollard said Thursday. “He was a model husband. I think what made him a good husband was that he feared God.”

Pastor Pollard, whose life will also be honored 11 a.m. Saturday at the church during a Celebration of Life Service, didn’t want a funeral, his wife said.

“He wanted people to remember him as he was,” Versia said.

Having accomplished the mission of being a good husband, being an effective counselor to the community came naturally, his wife said.

“You know what, he was just someone they could talk with,” Versia Pollard said, in describing her husband’s gift of being there. “He was giving. He understood. He was a man of the Bible. He knew what to say and when to say it. He was like another father, mother, sister or brother to them.”

The Rev. James T. Golden, pastor of Ward Temple AME Church, had just as lofty praise for his friend of nearly 20 years.

“I think Pastor Pollard was truly a larger than life servant of God,” Golden said. “He was an example for ministers as well as lay persons.”

Pastor Pollard was a “multi-generational” pastor, a man who helped people and their children.

“In the community, he always fought to be supportive of the Palmetto Youth Center and the NAACP,” Golden said. “He believed that community leadership began in the church and progressed with the church. His goal was to set the churches to work improving all of society.”

Pastor Pollard’s impact in the black and white community was profound, Golden said.

“The proof is in the pudding,” Golden said. “He had one of the largest congregations in the community, regardless of color. People looked to him for help through his sermons, counseling and teaching. He was also an inspirational preacher.”

Pastor Pollard’s wife wishes to share the story of her husband’s last days and last hours because it’s inspirational.

During a fall in October 2010, Pastor Pollard suffered a broken hip. He was hospitalized the last nine months of his life, during which time his lack of mobility and diabetes became a fatal combination, his wife said.

But during those last months, he was never dispirited.

“He was watching the Tampa Bay Rays on the Tuesday night before he died and yelling at them to catch the ball,” Versia Pollard said.

When Versia Pollard left her husband’s side at Blake Hospital on May 31, he was just as robust as ever, she said. She planned to not come June 1, explaining to him she had housework to do.

Before she left, however, Pastor Pollard said, “Honey, please come here.” When she did, he told her, “Are you coming tomorrow morning?” She replied, “I will be here with you if you want me to.” He then kissed her. Those were their last words. His heart would fail early Wednesday morning as she arrived.

“I believe he was telling me what God had told him to give to me,” Versia Pollard said. “I think that message came from God.”

Richard Dymond, Herald reporter, can be reached at 748-0411, ext. 6686.

This story was originally published June 10, 2011 at 12:00 AM with the headline "PASTOR S.D. POLLARD: 1938-2011 | A legacy of leadership, inspiration."