POLLY WATKINS DONNELLY

Polly Watkins Donnelly FLORENCE - Polly Watkins Donnelly retired teacher and historian died January 25, 2013 in Florence, SC after an extended illness. She was the daughter of the late Roy Lee Watkins, Sr and the late Willie Anderson Watkins. She was preceded in death by her parents; a husband, Russell A. Donnelly and a sister, Lou Ann Miller. Her teaching career spanned 26 years in the public schools of Georgia, Florida, California and Tennessee with the latter half of her career in the Cleveland City Schools. A graduate of the University of Chattanooga, she also studied at the Penland School of Handicrafts, Penland, NC, where she served on the summer staff for several years. She was a member of the Phi MuSoroity at U.C. and Sigma Delta Pi, honorary Spanish Fraternity. She organized the Cleveland Branch of the American Association of University Women in 1973, served as charter president, and chaired its publication, AAUW BICENTENNIAL COOKBOOK - THEN AND NOW. The cookbook sales completed the Beth C. Hardy Endowment which enables American Women Scholars to obtain higher degrees into infinity. Holding elective and appointive offices in the Tennessee State Division she served on the board of directors for several years. She also received a certificate of appreciation from the DAR state regent in 1999. She was founder of the James County Historical Society and chaired its publication of JAMES COUNTY: A LOST COUNTY OF TENNESSEE which received a significant contribution to Tennessee history in 1984. Her book, THE LIFE AND TIME OF CAPTAIN DAVID McNAIR, received a Certificate of Merit from the T.H.C in 1998, and a Certificate of Award from the D.A.R. for donating her book to the Vann House to be sold with the proceeds to be used for maintaining the McNair tombs at Conasauga, TN. Polly was a member of First Presbyterian Church of Cleveland, TN.; Ocoee Chapter Daughters of the American Revolution of which she was a Past Regent; First Families of Tennessee; First Families of Franklin; and several area historical societies. Survivors include: brother - Roy Lee ( Linda) Watkins, Jr. of Florence; sisters - Lillian W. ( Keith ) Wilson of Pampano Beach, FL and Virginia W. Kimsey of Anniston, AL; and several nieces and nephews. A memorial service will be held at a later date at Fike Funeral Home in Cleveland, TN. The family wishes to express their appreciation and gratitude to Southland Health Care Center and McLeod Hospice for their care and support. Memorials may be made to First Presbyterian Church Building Fund, 433 North Ocoee St. Cleveland, TN 37311. An online condolences page is available at www.cainfuneralhome.com