Paulette (Polly) Hill York was born June 25, 1948 in Vardaman, the daughter of Marie Fleming and James Orby Hill. She died at her home in Wake Forest, NC on June 1, 2020, surrounded by her loving family.
Polly graduated from Mississippi State College for Women in Columbus in 1970 and earned a Bachelor of Music Education degree. That same year, she married Jere Norwood York of Amory, who survives her. She is also survived by daughter, Neely Kathryn Lassiter; grandsons, Tyler York and Braxton Baker Lassiter, and former son-in-law, Michael Lassiter, all of Raleigh, NC; sisters, Dot Cobb, Ft. Lauderdale, FL; Jean Kimbrough, Calhoun City, and Louise Rauenhorst, Navarre, FL.
She was the youngest of six children, and was preceded in death by her parentsl; brothers, William J. and Charles Hill, and sister, Betty Robinson.
She grew up in Calhoun City, was an active member of the First Baptist Church. She met her husband, Jere, on a blind date her senior year of college and they were happily married for 50 years. When they began dating, he was living and working in Houston, so that was where they began their life as a married couple until he was transferred to Montgomery, AL. There, she worked at Montgomery Hospital as an assistant to the Administrator. During the next years, as his career took them to 11 different cities with Richmond, VA, Birmingham, AL, and Jacksonville, FL being their primary residences, she worked at Upjohn Healthcare in Richmond, VA and Barnett Mortgage Company in Jacksonville. In between jobs, she taught private piano lessons in her home and schools and did substitute teaching, also.
While living in Jacksonville, their daughter graduated from college and became engaged to be married. Polly retired shortly after to plan a backyard wedding for their daughter at their home and to become a full time housewife.
Upon the arrival of their second grandson and Jere’s retirement, they moved to Wake Forest, NC. They both cherished living close to their family and watching their grandsons grow up. She became a volunteer in every school/grade their grandsons attended from daycare to fourth grade. She and Jere spent many hours picking the boys up from school and attending sporting events they participated in, especially football. They hardly ever missed a ballgame. She stated many times her grandsons were the lights of her life, and she cherished every minute she spent with them. She was so proud of the loving, mature and smart young men they had become.
They were members of Wake Forest Presbyterian Church and served as lead greeters for many years. She was a member of Wake Forest Woman’s Club where she served on many committees and was particularly fond of volunteering as a tutor. She felt it was one of the most rewarding jobs she ever had. She also volunteered in the Wake Forest Rotary Club, where Jere was a member, and recently received the honorary “Paul Harris Fellow” award. Her biggest commitment, however, was to her family and friends. She was a devoted wife, mother, sister, and grandmother whose legacy of love, devotion, and faith are lasting. Orchestrating family gatherings was her passion, and she was happiest when she was sitting around the table with family and close friends, enjoying the richest kind of fellowship.
A celebration of her life will be held Wednesday, June 3 at Wake Forest Presbyterian Church with the Rev. Rebekah Maul officiating.
There will be a visitation Saturday, June 6 beginning at 10 a.m. at Pryor Funeral Home in Calhoun City, followed by a graveside service at 11 a.m. at Pinecrest Memorial Gardens in Calhoun City.
Memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 or to Wake Forest Presbyterian Church, 12605 Capital Blvd., Wake Forest, NC 27587
A service of Bright Funeral Home & Cremation Center, Wake Forest NC and Pryor Funeral Home, Calhoun City.