Following graduation from Central High School, Polly married Ernest Owensby. The newlyweds travelled throughout the south while Ernest conducted classified work for the Navy during WWII. Polly and Ernest returned to Chattanooga when the war ended. Ernest passed away in 1956.
Polly married John Lopez, a widower, in 1958 at the Signal Mtn. Presbyterian Church. John brought to this union his son, Jim. Two more children, Betty and John A., were added to the family. Polly was active in the community of Signal Mountain, Signal Mtn. Presbyterian Church and served as an Elections Clerk for many years. Everything, however, was scheduled around her Bridge Clubs. John passed away in 2007, one week prior to their 49th wedding anniversary.
Polly was preceded in death by husbands, Ernest and John, her parents, her two brothers, Nathan Hartman and Edsel Hartman, and her youngest son, John A.
She is survived by two children, Jim (Lynn) Lopez of Columbus, GA and Betty (Brian) Smithgall of Somers, MT. Also surviving are Jeannie Lopez of Port Orange, FL and six grandchildren, Chris Lopez, Sarah Moore, Katie Lane, Daniel Smithgall, Benjamin Smithgall, and David Lopez in addition to three great grandchildren and several nephews.
The family gives special thanks to the companionship and care given to mom in her final years by Frances Williams and the staff at Alexian Village and Healthcare of Signal Mtn.
A memorial service will be held at 1 pm on Friday, August 8, at the Signal Mountain Presbyterian Church, 612 James Blvd., Signal Mountain, TN 37379. The family will visit with friends and family following the service on Friday at the church.
Memorials can be made in Polly’s name to the Alexian Village Scholarship Fund, Saint Alexius Outreach Ministries, or the Signal Mountain Presbyterian Church.
Please share your thoughts and memories at www.chattanooganorthchapel.com
The arrangements are by the North Chapel of Chattanooga Funeral Home, Crematory and Florist, 5401 Highway 153, Hixson, TN 37343.
