Linda Pauline Worthy (Hammond)

Linda Pauline Hammond Worthy (April 13, 1937) went to be with the Lord on March 26, 2024. Polly was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, and aunt who cherished her large and vibrant family. She grew up in a musical household in the Mountain View Community of Taylors, South Carolina, the youngest of six children, to Thomas Alexander Hammond and Pauline Duncan Hammond. She was a proud farm girl who was active in the 4H Club.

In 1955, Polly was a member of the first graduating class at Blue Ridge High School. She was valedictorian, editor of the yearbook and played forward on the Girl's Basketball team. She was crowned South Carolina State Farm Bureau Queen in 1956. Polly graduated from North Greenville Junior College, where she sang alto in the choir and was editor of the yearbook, and it was there in the college library where she met the love of her life, Morgan Worthy. He was a student employee in the library and after meeting Polly, he was willing to work more hours and she found more time to study. They married on December 24, 1957. They moved cross country to Riverside, California (March Air Force Base) where he was stationed at the time and then on to Sembach Air Force Base near Kaiserslautern, Germany, where Polly immersed herself in the arts and culture of her new, vibrant community.

Following their return to the United States, Polly and Morgan welcomed their daughter Bonnie and son Steve and settled in the Atlanta area. Because of her experience with farm animals and farm machinery, Polly was well-prepared to nurture her children's divergent interests - horses and anything with wheels. After raising her young children, Polly returned to college and earned a bachelor's degree in Anthropology with a specialty in Archaeology (graduating with Honors) from Georgia State University. Archaeology was her passion, and she enjoyed an active career working as a field archaeologist during the construction of the MARTA rail system and for many years with the South Carolina Institute for Archaeology on the excavation of a 16th century Spanish village on Parris Island. One of her great joys was the friendships she formed during her career, especially with dear friend Linda Carnes McNaughton who together were the "Dos Lindas." Polly retired in 2007 and turned her attention to doting on her beloved grandchildren Madison, Jacob and Wendy Ulman, singing in a local senior choir, gardening and creating beautiful quilts that she gifted to family and friends. Polly was preceded in death by her parents, Thomas Alexander Hammond and Pauline Duncan Hammond, sisters Martha (Floyd) Brown and Nancy (Robert) Butler, Helen (Robert) Huff, and brothers Thomas (Callie) Hammond and Herbert (Sarah) Hammond. She leaves a legacy of love, generosity of spirit and sense of humor and a coveted chicken pot pie recipe to all who loved her, including daughter Bonnie Ulman (Clark) Miller, son Steven Worthy, granddaughter Madison (Jacob) Strobel, grandson Jacob Ulman, granddaughter Wendy Ulman, great grandson Nicolas Lovato and many nieces, nephews and friends with whom Polly shared special bonds.

The family wishes to thank the special team of caregivers at The Oaks Alpharetta memory care community - Marketa, Ree, Paschal, Blessing, Maevery, Emily, Hope, Lilia, Debbie, Jokevia, Neelam, Jeff, Chrystal, Joy, Patricia, Shaquita, Sara and Tara - for their unwavering dedication, support and compassion. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to the Georgia Chapter of the American Alzheimer's Association, 41 Perimeter Center E #550, Atlanta, GA 30346.

A Celebration of Life is planned for 11am on April 13, 2024, at The Oaks Alpharetta, 253 N Main Street, Alpharetta, GA 30009.