Halley Polley

Halley Catherine Elaine Basham, the eldest of four siblings, was born on May 6, 1939, in Grove City, Pennsylvania to Fillmore and Carrie Basham. She peacefully passed away on Saturday, April 12, 2025, in Stone Mountain, GA surrounded by her loving family. She carried a quiet presence and a radiant spirit, leaving a lasting impression on all who crossed her path - a testament to the grace and faith that guided her life.
In 1956, Halley Catherine Elaine Basham married Larry Kenneth Polley in a quiet ceremony. She proudly devoted herself to her husband and to rearing their eight children: Karla, Esther, Jeanette, Amy, Larry, Lisa, and twins Darnell and Ardell Polley. Although she worked only a short period over the years, Halley considered her most sacred and enduring role to be that of a devoted mother and homemaker-pouring love into the heart of her family every single day.
In 1980, against many odds and with unwavering determination, Halley earned her Maryland high school diploma. Balancing the demands of motherhood and life's many responsibilities, she pressed forward with quiet strength and perseverance. It was a proud and hard-won achievement, a testament to her belief in lifelong growth and the power of persistence.
In 1985, she began her lifelong journey as a devout Christian woman, giving herself to Christ. She and her late husband, Larry, studied the Word of God at the Church of Christ in Aberdeen, Maryland. Together, they faithfully attended Bible studies and served the Lord in every way the church required. Each morning, they made it a priority to read the Bible and pray-lifting up their children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and all those in need of God's grace and guidance.
Halley and her husband found joy in traveling with their grandchildren, sharing life experiences and creating lasting memories. They often visited family members around the nation, and left love and hope to those they encountered. Wherever their journeys took them, they always sought out a local Church of Christ to worship and fellowship with members, spreading love and encouragement along the way.
In 2014, Halley sold the family home in Farrell, Pennsylvania, and moved to Stone Mountain, Georgia, where she lived with her daughter Lisa, granddaughter Elesia, and the beloved family dog, Casanova. After relocating to Georgia, Halley remained steadfast in her faith and made it a priority to establish a new church home. September 2014, Halley became a devoted member of the Hillcrest Church of Christ, continuing her spiritual journey with a joyful and open heart. She found deep fulfillment in lifting her voice with the Hillcrest Singers, traveling alongside her church family, and actively engaging in Ladies Day activities - each moment enriching her faith and strengthening her bond with fellow believers. She continued to engage in enriching activities at the Lou Walker Senior Center of Lithonia, GA with purpose-nurturing her roots through Black History studies, exploring healthy cooking to combat her cancer diagnosis, and staying active through exercise and water aerobics. Halley was also a competitive bowler and proudly challenged her grandchildren, many of whom could never top her score.
She is survived by her eight children: Karla Polley (Baltimore, MD), Esther Renee Polley (Houston, TX), Jeanette (David) Wright (Houston, TX), Amy Polley (Baltimore, MD), Larry K. (Rosa) Polley Jr. (Riverdale, GA), Lisa Robinson (Stone Mountain, GA), and twins Darnell Polley (Baltimore, MD) and Ardell Polley (Snellville, GA); her siblings Gretchen Ann Mosby and Marvin Bryant Basham; eleven grandchildren, thirteen great-grandchildren, and a host of extended family and dear friends.
Halley was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 55 years, Larry K. Polley; her parents, Fillmore and Carrie Basham; her brother, Fillmore "Sonny" Basham Jr.; her son-in-law, Jefferey Robinson, who was married to her daughter Lisa; and grandsons Ardell Polley Jr., Orlando Ardell Polley, Antoine Whittington, and Tyrell Polley.
Halley's legacy is that of a woman who taught others how to forgive, how to endure, and how to live a life grounded in faith and love. Her gentle strength, unwavering belief in the Lord, and selfless spirit will forever echo in the hearts of those she touched with open arms. During her final days, she shared a simple yet profound reminder: "Treat others how you want to be treated." This was not just advice-it was a reflection of how she lived her life every single day.
Though she has departed from this earthly life, her light will never dim. Rest in the Lord, Halley. Your essence remains, intertwined in the lives you touched. Your spirit will live on in the hearts of all who knew you and loved you.
Messages of sympathy, stories and photos can be shared on Halley's memorial page, at: www.flynnfuneralhome.com.