Reverend Valerie Cutler Polnitz

Reverend Valerie Cutler Polnitz of Tampa, FL, passed away on Saturday, March 7, 2026.  Funeral Services will be held on Saturday, March 21, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. at St. John Cathedral Church, 3401 Bishop Eddie Newkirk Way, Tampa, Florida 33605, with Reverend Dr. Lillian V. Matthew-Zakay, Officiating.  Interment will follow at Garden of Memories Cemetery, East Lake Ave, Tampa, Florida 33610.

Reverend Valerie Cutler Polnitz was born in Tampa, Florida, on October 28, 1956, to James Cutler Jr. and Ruby Cutler. Reverend Valerie, a graduate of Brandon High School in Brandon, Florida, earned her Bachelor’s degree from the University of South Florida in Tampa, Florida. She was employed by the Federal Government's Social Security Administration for over 36 years.

Reverend Valerie was a member of Hood Temple African Methodist Episcopal Church for almost 60 years. On January 16, 2016, she was ordained an Elder during the Ordination Service of the Alabama Florida Episcopal District. She served as the Superintendent of Sunday School, Local President of the Women’s Home and Overseas Missionary Society, and, in 2025, was appointed the Conference Director of Evangelism after serving as the Local and District Director. She devoted herself wholeheartedly to the church, working tirelessly until God called her home.

On June 9, 2007, Reverend Valerie was united in holy matrimony to Reginald Polnitz. Throughout their marriage, they cherished their time together, embarking on various trips and spending quality time with their family.  After God, she loved and cherished her family most of all.

Reverend Valerie enjoyed her quiet time with God, reading and sharing his word. She was very involved in Sunday School and the Hour of Power on Tuesday afternoons, where she actively participated in community outreach, providing lunches for the unhoused weekly. During the Christmas season, she spearheaded the Blessing Bags project, which provided toiletries and other essential items. Her greatest joy was collecting and distributing toys at the Children’s Christmas party annually for the children at church and in the community.

Reverend Valerie, a music lover, dedicated her life to helping others, mentoring, and nurturing her church family.  She especially loved her time at Fit Her, a gym for women where she shared a sisterhood and loved the ladies who worked out with her.

She was preceded in death by: her father, James Cutler Jr.; her grandmother, Flossie Mutcherson; and her grandfather, Johnnie Mutcherson.

She leaves to cherish her memory: her husband, Reginald Polnitz; daughters, Adrian Knowles (Joseph Bryant) and Alana Knowles; son, Devon Polnitz; grandson, Joe Tanner; granddaughters, Malyssa Bryant, Victoria Bryant, and Alisia Jennings; mother, Ruby Cutler; brothers, Reginald Cutler (Loretta) and Kenneth Cutler Sr. (Donna); Godson, Bishop Daran H. Mitchell (Reverend Lynn); nieces, nephews; lifelong friend, Mrs. Lucy Russell; many family members, her church family and friends, and all who loved her and will miss her sweet smile and kind words. 

Visitation will be held on Friday, March 20, 2026, from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Ray Williams Funeral Home, 301 N. Howard Avenue, Tampa, FL 33606.

Arrangements entrusted to Ray Williams Funeral Home, Rhodes & Northern, Owners

www.raywilliamsfuneralhome.com

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