Pauline �Polly� E. Tibbetts, 89, died peacefully on January 4, 2016 in St. Petersburg, Florida, surrounded by her family. She is rejoicing in heaven where she joins her parents Ed & Lula Enix, her husband, Linton Tibbetts O.B.E., her two sons, Daniel E. Tibbetts and David N. Tibbetts and other family.

Polly was one of six children living in Harlan, Kentucky, in the early 1940�s. Polly and her sister, Alta, were orphaned at an early age and began a journey that separated them from their siblings. The eldest sister lived in the Midwest, two older brothers served their country in the armed forces and an aunt took the youngest boy and girl.

As Polly approached her high school years, a Baptist preacher arranged for the girls to move to Harrison-Chilhowee Baptist Academy, now known as The Kings Academy. The girls lived on campus year-round completing their graduation requirements in three years. She was class secretary-treasurer two years, Young Women�s Auxiliary secretary three years, and played a role in the class play three years.

After her graduation, Polly attended Carson-Newman College. Her college career was cut short to care for her older sister who was ill. Soon after, the family reunited after her older brothers finished their military careers and invited them to move to St. Petersburg, Florida. Polly became the matriarch of the family.

Polly married Linton on Easter March 28, 1948, in a double ceremony with her sister, Alta and Jack Hurlston. Polly and Linton each brought into the relationship a solid commitment to hard work and a deep appreciation for family relationships. When their four children were born, they were raised in a Christian home and instilled with the same values that carried their parents through difficult times.

Family was God�s greatest blessing to her and filled her life with great joy and affection. Her faith in and love for God guided how she lived her life. Polly was also known for her laughter, hospitality and generosity. She was honored by her Alma mater, The Kings Academy of Seymour, TN as Outstanding Alumna of 2013 for her generous support of the school that meant so much to her. She lived her life guided by the Bible. Her favorite verse was Ephesians 2:8 �For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith, and this is not from yourself, it is a gift from God�. She was a great example of how life should be lived � unselfishly, loving and forgiving each other, giving to those in need, and loving God.

Polly is survived by her two daughters, Mary L. Brandes and her husband Russ Brandes of St. Petersburg and Donna E. Hooker of Louisville, TN; her nine grandchildren, Jeffrey Brandes and his wife Natalie, Tyler Brandes and his wife Ashley, Polly Klepacki and her husband Kenny, Kyle Hooker and his wife Adrienne, Ryan "Bubba" Hooker and his wife Jessica, Angela Hooker, Michael Tibbetts and his wife Rebecca, Emily Allenbach and her husband Mark, and Jessica Buchanan and her husband David; and nineteen great-grandchildren, Liliana and Madeline Allenbach, Benjamin, Warren, and Carson Brandes, Charlotte, Colin and Conor Brandes, Bradyn, Bryce, and Brylee Hooker, Daniel and Ellyson Hooker, Madison Brandes and Reece, Wesley and Corinne Klepacki, and Caroline and Lydia Mae Tibbetts.

In celebration of her life, a memorial service will be held on Thursday, January 7, 2016 at Bridgepoint Church, 6690 Crosswinds Dr. N. St. Petersburg, FL. Visitation will be from 2:00 to 4:00 pm. The memorial service will be from 4:00 to 5:30 pm. Interment will be private. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in memory of Polly Tibbetts to The King�s Academy at 202 Smothers Road, Seymour, TN, 37865.