Martha Jean "Polly" Turner Smith, age 83, a loving wife, mother, and grandmother of Athens, passed away Thursday, October 29, 2009 at Parkwest Hospital in Knoxville, TN. 

A native of Newport, Tennessee, she had resided in Athens for the past 55 years. 

She was a daughter of the late  Arthur Burl and Ellen Turner and was preceded in death by a daughter, Carolyn Dodd in March 2009; and a sister, Dean Kelsey.  She was a devout Christian and a Volunteer with CONTACT for 25 years and was recognized with the Mary R. Brown Society Award, which is a national award for outstanding achievement and commitment to volunteer service with CONTACT, a crisis help line.                                                       

She was a Volunteer at NHC Healthcare and Life Care Center of Athens. Survivors include husband of 63 Years, John Herschel Smith of Athens; one Daughter & son-in-law, Hershella  "Shelly" and Jay Gleason of Huntersville, North Carolina; one sister, Margaret Freeman of Johnson City, Tennessee; two grandchildren, Charles Dodd and Elizabeth Dodd.

Funeral services will be 7 p.m. Friday in the chapel of Laycock-Hobbs Funeral Home with Rev. Charles Ensminger officiating. Interment will be 11 a.m. Saturday in McMinn Memory Gardens.

Pallbearers will be Jack Harrison, Hugh Maughan, Charles Dodd, Jay Gleason, Jason Wice, and Lebron Skelton.

The family will receive friends Friday from 5 to 7 p.m.  at Laycock-Hobbs Funeral Home in Athens, TN. Memorial contributions may be made to CONTACT, P. O. Box 69. Athens, Tenn. 37371-0069.Those unable to attend may send condolences or sign the guest register at www.laycock-hobbs.comLaycock-Hobs.

Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.