Bessie Lou Polk’s family moved to Moss Point when she was 13 years old. She was a decorated track runner and also led the Monarchs basketball team to the 1952 Gulf Coast Conference championship.

She then played basketball for the Alcorn A&M College (now Alcorn State University) team that won the 1953 South Central Athletic Conference championship in women’s basketball. She is enshrined in Alcorn’s Hall of Fame.

An active community servant and leader in Moss Point in her adult Life, Polk was recognized by the Moss Point School District for her active support of Moss Point sporting events.