Polly was born May 24, 1924 in Mecklenburg County and grew up on the family farm near Hoods Crossroads, Matthews. She graduated from Matthews School which at that time served grades one through twelve. Polly grew up in Matthews during the Great Depression and experienced the economic hardship that influenced that Greatest Generation. Ever thrifty for herself, she was generous to others with her time and talents, both at Matthews United Methodist Church and at Matthews Elementary School where as Cafeteria Manager she made sure that the children that passed through her cafeteria line were well fed with food prepared with love and care. She retired from her career as Cafeteria Manager with Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools in 1989.
Polly’s life centered on her family, church and work. As a teenager she attended Matthews Methodist Church’s MYF where she and her future husband LB Martin, though they knew each other from school, began to deepen their relationship. They married on May 6, 1945 at Matthews Methodist and lived in Oklahoma while he completed his Army Air Corp service after WWII. After returning to Matthews LB and Polly built a home on land purchased from her father. That home was built as they had money to pay for it - the Depression had such a deep impact that they never borrowed any money during their lifetimes.
Polly volunteered with the Youth Fellowship, the Girl Scouts, the library summer reading program, and taught a youth Sunday School class. She had a lifelong interest in youth and education. She was a charter member of the MUMC’s Women’s Society of Christian Service and a member of the Delia Lemmond Circle.
Polly and her husband Blease were founding members of the Fellowship Sunday School Class, originally named the Couples Class. Fellowship class events and projects, church bazaars, dinners, communion preparation and other church service was a big part of Mom’s life. Mom and Dad loved their church and friends and they loved Mom and Dad. In later years, Mom loved going to Happy Times and Seasoned to Perfection events including the wonderful lunches as well as trips. She volunteered as a greeter and unofficial ambassador for MUMC.
Mom oversaw the family vegetable garden every summer, canning and freezing vegetables and fruits for not only her immediate family, but her parents and other relatives. Extra produce was sold. In her later years picking and selling blueberries was one of her favorite activities.
Sunday lunch at Mom and Dad’s was always memorable, and a standing family event for decades. Fried chicken, ham, fresh, canned or frozen vegetables, Mom’s biscuits, and home grown blueberry pie, her delicious sweet potato pie and homemade chocolate cake were usual fare, and set a standard almost unmatched. The food appeared magically within a short time after coming home from church, though Dad usually had to have a buttered biscuit to tide him over till the food was served.
Mom and Dad loved to camp and pick blueberries on Blueberry Hill, a blueberry farm on a North Carolina mountaintop owned by friend “CB”. They would go with Doug (Dad’s nephew) and Lena Martin with home-canned green beans and fresh vegetables, Mom would cook on a Coleman stove and they’d sleep in Dad’s covered pickup. They had a lot of cherished adventures with Doug and Lena.
Mom and Dad also loved to square dance with church-related friends. She enjoyed sewing and made her own square dance dresses and occasionally made dresses for friends. They traveled to both Carolinas to attend dances.
We suspect that Mom and Dad “got up a square” when she arrived on Sunday. She probably fixed her famous turnips. When asked her secret, she answered: “a little bit of sugar” How much sugar? “Oh, you’ll know” she’d say.
Polly was preceded in death by her parents, Oscar Lee Hartis and Zula (Cochrane) Hartis, and beloved husband Lemuel Blease Martin. She is survived by her children, Roger Martin (Pattie) Mint Hill, NC, Steve Martin (Mary) Charlotte, NC, and Susan Martin, Charlotte, NC, grandchildren: Melissa (Jamie) Atlanta, Georgia, Christopher Martin (Andrea) Saline, Michigan, Brian York (Donna) Winston Salem, NC, Great Grandchildren: James Beary, Parker Beary, Blaise Martin, Augusta Martin, Chad York, Trent York, Kendal Johnson (Cory) and Great Great Grandchild Harley Johnson.
The family wishes to express our love and appreciation to Aretha Tomberlin and Shirley York for their love and care over the past eight years, and to the Belmont neighborhood staff of Asbury Health and Rehab where she resided for the past 3 years. To all those Belmont staff who comforted mom during her last week of life by praying and singing with her we offer our deep and sincere gratitude.
Chuck Wilson, Senior Pastor at Matthews United Methodist Church will officiate at a private graveside service to be held at Sunset Memory Gardens, Mint Hill NC. A virtual memorial service will be scheduled at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Matthews United Methodist Church Senior Services.
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