Mrs. Susan Harrill Polk

Susan Harrill Polk died on Thanksgiving morning, November 26, 2015, in Shannondale Health Care Center. She was born in the family home at 114 E. Fifth Avenue directly across the street from Knoxville High School. She was 97 years old. Susan was baptized in 1918 at First Presbyterian Church and remained a member for 97 years. Susan was an avid Girl Scout. She and her sister Patsy spent their summers (1929-1935) at Camp Margaret Townsend near Tremont and additional summers at the Mariner Camp on Norris Lake. She graduated from the University of Tennessee in 1939, where she was a lifetime member of the Chi Omega fraternity. Upon graduating, she married William G. Polk. They lived in the coal mining communities of Anthras and LaFollette, Tennessee, before moving to Cloverport, Kentucky. In Cloverport, she and her husband were co-editors of the Breckingridge News. In 1952, they moved back to Knoxville where they raised their family. She was president of the Blount Mansion Association and a member of various charitable organizations. Susan and Bill loved the Smoky Mountains, in particular Elkmont and Metcalf Bottoms. They also enjoyed boating on Norris Lake. Many summer and family vacations were spent in Fripp Island, South Carolina. Susan was preceded in death by her parents, Gaines McNew Harrill and Lola Newman Harrill, her husband, William G. Polk, her daughter, Penny Polk Buethe, her grandson, Scott Carlson Polk, her sister, Patsy Harrill Pittenger, brothers-in-law, Frank Pittenger, Col. (Ret.) Eugene Weeks, sister-in-law Mildred Polk Weeks, nephews Jimmy Pittenger, and 2nd Lt. James Weeks. She is survived by her son, Robert H. Polk (Lucie) granddaughters Paige Galfano (Tom), Molly Polk (Peter Low), great grandchildren - Nick, Katie, and Stephanie Galfano, Oscar, Caleb, and Adele Low. Nieces and nephews - Gaines and Johnny Pittenger, Louise, John, Debbie, and Billy Weeks. A graveside service will be held in late spring at Old Gray Cemetery. The family expresses thanks to all the staff at Shannondale Retirement Center, Assisted Living Facility, and Health Care Center where Susan was a resident for 15 years. Most sincere thanks to caregivers Betty Kidd, Ramona King, and Janie Moon. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Heritage, Heart, and Hope Campaign of First Presbyterian Church or to a charity of choice.

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Mrs. Susan Harrill Polk

December 8, 1917 - November 26, 2015