Carey Ann Polk-Francis' Obituary
Carey Ann Polk-Francis was born in Austin, TX on October 26, 1960. She was dearly loved by her three siblings: Sandy, Terry and Ronnie. Carey studied at UT Dallas, and then received her Bachelor of Fine Arts and Studio Arts Degree from Weber University, where she served as the Historian of the Black Scholars United. Carey also received her Master of Fine Arts Degree from American University, where she worked as the senator of the Visual Art Department Graduate Student Council. Carey also worked on the Graduate Student Council's Financial Committee, helping to write bills that were passed by the American University school system.
A true lover of learning, Carey went on to teach for the District of Columbia Public School System for almost 9 years, and taught Visual Art at American University, where she served as an Academic Advisor. Carey also worked as a tour guide at the famous Hirshorn Museum and as a Community Outreach Representative at the African American Civil War Museum.
Carey credited her interest in teaching and working in galleries to her early work with students in her undergraduate program and beyond. She went on to found the "Teen Studio Space" community service involvement project in 2013, a program that brought communities and universities together in the fields of the Arts /Sciences and Humanities. While leading this program, Carey stated, "I have a passion for creating learning environments that foster growth and development in the Arts. As I contributed to developing the students, I found that I've grown personally and professionally though my teaching and gallery experience. " As affectionately noted by family and friends, Carey was truly "somethin' else" — a character full of life, love, and laughter. She was a beloved mother to her four handsome sons: Benjamin Houston, Jibri Houston, Andre Nash and Xavier Polk. She was also a proud grandmother to eight beautiful grandchildren. Carey Ann Francis-Polk received her wings on February 2, 2025. She is preceded in death by her grandsons, Quinten Polk and Caleb Houston, who are now welcoming her with open arms.
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