Polly Chisholm Wylly Brooks

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Celebrating the life of
Polly Chisholm Wylly BrooksSeptember 26, 1914 - August 26, 2014
An Unforgettable Lady

Polly and her mother, Nannie “Boofie” Chisholm

Polly Chisholm Wylly Brooks (1914-2014)
An Unforgettable Lady

Polly was born in 1914 to Nannie and Julian Chisholm - the third child after Nancy and Julian, then little Billy, “Bubba”. She came into the world at home on Gaston Street with the help of Dr. Lawrence Lee.
WWI had begun. This newborn knew nothing of the war. Her sheltered world was safe under the care of her mother and a nurse, Nana Gordon, who rocked and crooned to her.
This new baby knew nothing of President Woodrow Wilson, nor that a first-class stamp cost just 2 cents. Life was good!
In 1916, she climbed trees and romped about barefooted. She loved her first taste of home-churned peach ice cream. A real treat was to lick the dasher!!
Her world was sheltered from events such as the sinking of the British ocean liner, Lusitania. She didn’t care that the millionth Ford had rolled off the assembly line. She cared when her junket or peach ice cream would be served!
Her parents often rented a horse and buggy and drove to Vernon View to their cottage on the river. They spent happy summers fishing, crabbing and sailing. They rented a cow for fresh milk. Little Polly milked that cow and loved buttermilk and clabber. Chickens pecked in the dirt and there was no shortage of fresh eggs. Grapefruit, peach and pear trees and scuppernongs flourished.
Eli Dillwood was a faithful employee who helped raise the four rambunctious children. Eli was also a deacon in the Sweet Fields of Eden Baptist Church.
Young Polly grew up in a loving family. They looked forward to their father, Dr. Chisholm, coming to Vernon View from his office - a long drive from Gaston Street. By now, the doctor had a snazzy Packard.
Polly and Billy raced through the woods, stuffing their mouths with chinquapin nuts, to the causeway to listen for the big Packard grinding gears and honking, and jumped onto the running board for the dusty ride home.
Dr. Chisholm’s office in the city, where he specialized in eyes, ears, throats and noses, was behind their Gaston Street home. He treated friends’ conjunctivitis and pink eye and, oh yes, took burrs from their hunting dogs’ eyes. Patients came in the front door - hunting dogs in the back.
The family was glad to escape to Vernon View from the city. The flu pandemic in 1917 was deadly.
In the summers, Eli life-guarded the children swimming in the Vernon River, while Mother, known as “Boofie”, sat on the screened porch darning socks and avoiding the sun. Boofie felt confident under Eli’s capable watch.
Daily, Polly and Billy sailed their little sailboat. Once, they convinced Eli to come along. He cautiously stepped aboard. A gust of wind flipped them over. The children swam ashore, but Eli clinched the keel. He couldn’t swim! When Boofie confronted him, he said, “Yes, Mrs. Chisholm. I was watching the children. Mainly I was watching for sharks!”
Polly attended Pape School on Bolton Street. She inherited the family flaw of near-sightedness. Recalling the phrase, Boys don’t make passes at girls who wear glasses! she felt specs were distasteful, so while her daddy napped, she snuck into his office and memorized the eye chart. At age 99, she could still recite it. Her father tolerated the prank, but eventually fitted her with the dreaded glasses.
It was off to Washington, D.C. to Mt. Vernon High School. She was on the field hockey team. For this young Georgia girl, seeing her breath hang in the frosty air was an exhilarating change from the heat down in Savannah. And no gnats!
Meanwhile, John Wylly had attended Woodbury Forest School where he roomed with famed lyricist Johnny Mercer and was now at University of Virginia studying law. He was the only older man this young girl had permission to date, as John didn’t drink like many of his pals. Polly and John raced in regattas at the Savannah Yacht Club and in Charleston with their little dog, Inky. Polly and John were married in 1936.
In 1940, Little Polly (Cooper) was born, followed by Johnny (Wylly) and then Sue (Wylly). The family loved Tybee.
The island wasn’t crowded back then, and Tybee children brought pet goats onto the beach to frolic in the dunes, their dogs to dig up sand-crabs and galloped horses bareback on the beach and into the foaming breakers.
During the school year, the Wylly children grew up on 53rd Street in Ardsley Park near the Donaldsons, Varnedoes, Minis’s and Connerats.
The Wyllys built a house at Tybee in 1946 on the Back River. The children helped pull cockspurs to clear the sandy lot. Happy summers followed - casting the shrimp net, buying Little Lulu comic books at Mr. Chu’s, searching for turtle crawls on Pelican Island and chasing wild goats on Goat Island.
“Mummy” was always enthusiastic. “Get up! It’s 6AM. Time for a swim before breakfast!” or “Come help shuck this bushel of corn!”
While children swung in hammocks drinking Orange Crush, events were occurring elsewhere. Franklin Roosevelt died in 1945. Hitler died. The US tested the first atomic bomb. WWII ended with bombs dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Life at Tybee was blissful. Not a dark cloud in the blue sky. “Mummy” made regular trips to town in her Oldsmobile Rocket 88 to go shopping with Boofie for the children’s clothes on Broughton Street. Ladies wore high heels, gloves, hose and hats to shop.
Polly was president of the Junior League and played the role of Shirley Temple in the Junior League Follies. Then she became president of the Married Women’s Card Club.
Thirty happy years with her beloved husband John and their three children were filled with early-morning fishing trips to Pelican Island and hot summers at Tybee. John died in his 50s. Much too young, his loss was tragic. Life was not the same.
Time passed. One day she announced that she and Randy Brooks, a long-time friend, were getting married.
Polly began smiling and easing back into life.
She never forgot John. This second marriage was also a happy one. Polly and Randy bought an Airstream camper and traveled with friends from Maine to Mexico, and the west coast. They spent time at Lake Toxaway and Highland Falls, NC playing golf. Sadly, Randy died in 1998.
Polly’s children convinced her to move to Isle of Hope, where she made new friends and enjoyed her porch overlooking the Skidaway River.
With sight dimming, she hung onto her weekly bridge games. Well into her 90s, she had tons of energy.
Everyone remembers when she capsized in a little rowboat with Margie Kelly on a crabbing adventure. Margie was 89 and Polly 92. It was a frigid day in January. Margie surfaced and called “Polly, Polly where are you?” A muffled voice said, “I’m under the boat! I’ll be out in a minute!” In the ambulance, they gave fake names, so we children wouldn’t know. “We’re taking you to Candler, ladies”, the driver told the shivering, soaking crabbers. “Oh, no you don’t!” protested Polly. You’re taking us to Margie’s house. We need our toddies!” Polly was fuming because they’d lost half a bushel of good blue crabs! Also, she’d soaked a $25 hair-do! That really irked her!
Her friends and family meant the world to her. She set an example of how to live, uncomplaining even with a host of ailments.
She loved her bridge buddies, grandchildren, doctors, ministers, Landings friends, friends who dropped by with custard, songs and good wishes, her wonderful caregivers, Fanny, Jack, the Crabettes, her Hospice nurses and Tuffy, her scruffy mutt and Aggie, her old poodle.
She adored her neighbors on Bluff Drive and most of all, her three children - Johnny, Sue and Polly. She was a master story-teller. Here’s one about a trip to Broughton Street in 1924:
“Mother took me and big sis Nancy into Adler’s Store to buy lace for our petticoats. Mother asked Mrs. Unger for the special lace she regularly bought. Oh, said Mrs. Unger. We don’t have any today. Well, said Mother, When is it coming in? Mrs. Unger replied, Oh, no, Mrs. Chisholm. We just couldn’t keep it on the shelves, so we’re not stocking it any more!”
She touched many hearts. Lord, help her family survive without this wonderful dynamic person! Help our pain turn into sweet memories so we can follow her remarkable example.
If inclined, please send a donation to Hospice Savannah or Humane Society of Savannah. “Big Polly’s” life will be celebrated Friday, Aug. 29, at 5:30PM at Asbury Memorial United Methodist Church on Henry Street. A private burial for the family will be 4:30PM at Bonaventure.

SHARE YOUR CONDOLENCES

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GUEST BOOK

Polly, Johnny, and Susan, We are so sorry to hear of your wonderful mother's passing. She really loved y'all and enjoyed life to the fulllest. It is nice to know that you are all carrying on the family tradition. We are so sorry for your loss and what a great obituary and an amazing lady. Much Love, Ryan and Mary Christy

- Mr. and Mrs. Ryan Macdonald, Savannah, Ga

I will never forget the wonderful days at at Tybee with Johnny and Sue, under the watchful eye of Big Polly. She once gave me some very sage advice about life and happiness which I never forgot. She will be missed by many. Condolences to the entire Wylly clan.

- Stewart H Haile, Lenoir, NC

My condolences to the Peveler family I am so sorry for you loss. May Jehovah be with your family in your time of greif we all know how you feel because we all have loss someone we love. But you can have hope because God has said there is going to be a resurrection for all mankind . At John 5:28,29 it talkes about a resurrection hope . Again I am sorry for your loss.

- Mary Cooper, Savannah, Ga

I wasn't fortunate enough to know Mrs. Brooks but, having lived in Savannah all my life, had heard of her. After reading this wonderful tribute to her life I can say that anyone who came into her life was mighty blessed!

- Vicky Bidez Lyda, Hendersonville, NC

My thoughts and prayers are with you as you celebrate "Big Polly's" life and abundant LOVE. Peace and blessings, Tricia Richardson

- Tricia Richardson, Savannah, GA

Sounds like she was a great lady! May she rest in peace!

- Deborah Weigle, New Milford, CT

Dear Sue and all the Wylly clan, My heartfelt condolences for all your family on the passing of your sweet momma. May God rest and Bless your momma's soul and send ya'll comfort in the times to come. It was a real joy to read about your momma and families life and times. GodBless- Love, Julia B.

- Julia Catherine Bremer, Bluffton, South Carolina

Dear John,Margaret and the entire Family:We send our sincere sympathy on the passing of a dear,sweet knowledgeable lady!Polly truly had a remarkable life and knew so many people and had so many friends from all walks of life.She will be missed.You will be in our thoughts and prayers going forward.

- Tom & Judy Mahoney, Savannah, Georgia

Dear family, I'm sorry to hear of the passing of your dear love one, I know that the God of all comfort, Jehovah (2 Corinthians 1:2,3) will give this family all the comfort needed in this time of great sorrow. My prayers are with you all at this time of pain.

- Mary Amos, Port Wentworth, GA

Ken and I feel so privileged to have had the opportunity to know your Mother. I will always treasure my memories of her. So very sorry for your loss. Renee and Ken

- Renee Bishop & Ken Daniel, Savannah, GA

Julian, Tim and Family: Cindy and I want share our condolences and prayers at this time of loss. From Julian's description of his grandmother, Polly was an amazing woman who touched many lives. While you grieve, we hope you can also celebrate the life she lived, and that Polly is now home in heaven.

- Dave and Cindy Hornik, Aurora, IL

My Grandparents and our mother, Allison Davis Sullivan, was a friend of the Chisholms and Polly from their childhood. Although they drifted apart during the course of raising their children, mom always cherished her many, many memories of their growing up together and socializing after marriage. My family owned a cottage on the strand at Tybee, and I can remember as a child going over to the Wyllys on the back river to visit during the Summer. We may have grown apart, but we'll always remember the Wylly family with the greatest respect and affection. God be with you Polly Jr., Sue and Johnny. Jack & Virginia Sullivan

- Family of Allison Davis Sullivan, Savannah, ga

My heart goes out to all of our family as this great lady has departed from us physically but her legacy, legendary stories and love of living-life continues to resonate not only within our extended family n' friends but also within this community and no doubt for generations to come. Upon returning back to Savannah these past few years, one of my great pleasures most Sunday afternoons on the way home from church was to swing by her house and sit out on the porch chatting away or just relaxing there in silent contentment as we enjoyed the breeze and watching boats pass along the waterway. My last conversation with her still brings a smile to my face: after I said, "I love you", she quipped back, "of course you do!" and we laughed together. I count myself incredibly fortunate to be a part of this wonderful family and to have known such a great and great-fun lady!

- Lachlan C. Ivy, Savannah, GA