Polly Ann Doane

Polly Ann Doane, 92, born in Washington, D.C., in 1934 to Eva Allen Williams and John Thatcher Williams, went home to be with the Lord on July 15, 2026, passing peacefully in her sleep at her home in Watkinsville, Georgia. Her life was defined by unwavering faith and expressed through her love for family, treasured friendships, and a generous spirit.

Blessed with a servant's heart, Polly spent her life caring for others. Whether nurturing her family, encouraging friends, sharing her creativity through handmade gifts and beautiful creations, or simply welcoming someone with a warm smile, she found joy in making others feel loved, valued, and at home. She never met a stranger. Her kindness was natural and effortless, her generosity freely given, and her welcoming spirit left a lasting impression on everyone fortunate enough to know her.

Throughout her career with the United States Department of Agriculture, WINX Radio, and Control Data Corporation, Polly approached every role with integrity, diligence, and grace. Colleagues valued her dependability, quiet competence, and warm heart. In retirement, she made her home in Boiling Spring Lakes, North Carolina, where she enjoyed the beauty and tranquility of coastal living.

Polly was a faithful member of Mars Hill Baptist Church in Watkinsville, Georgia. She cherished her church family and especially treasured the friendships she found in her Sunday School class. Her faith was evident not only in her words but in the kindness, compassion, and quiet generosity she extended to everyone she met.

Polly was a devoted mother whose love reached far beyond her own family. She opened her heart and home to generations of basketball players from Sherwood, Montgomery Blair, Seneca Valley, and South Brunswick high schools. She became especially known for her highly anticipated annual spaghetti dinners, where hungry athletes were welcomed with delicious food, laughter, encouragement, and the unmistakable feeling that they belonged.

Polly had a lifelong passion for sewing, knitting, crocheting, reading, crafting, painting, and gardening. Her garden was always in full bloom, filled with plentiful azaleas and other beautiful blossoms that reflected her love of beauty and care. Her hands were rarely still, and her family treasures countless handmade gifts that bear witness to her creativity and loving care. Every child, grandchild, and great-grandchild received a special outfit lovingly crafted just for them.

Polly also had a deep affection for animals. Over the years, she shared her home with many beloved dogs, including several hearing dogs—some formally trained and others who simply appointed themselves to the role. She later welcomed cats into her life as well and fostered numerous dogs and cats, always opening her home to one more animal in need until they found their “furever” families. Her compassion extended not only to people but to every creature she encountered.

Her greatest joy was her family, whom she loved deeply and cherished with all her heart. She is survived by her three children: Russell Doane of Boyds, Maryland; Dale (Margie) Doane of Rockville, Maryland; and Deborah Manoll (Roy) of Athens, Georgia. She was a proud and loving grandmother to Allie, Rachel, Abby, Tim, Bo, and Lilly, and a delighted great-grandmother to Sofia, Henry, Sylvia, Bodie, and Arthur. She is also survived by her brother, John T. Williams of Gaithersburg, Maryland, along with many beloved nieces and nephews, all of whom were very special in her life.

Polly was preceded in death by her parents and by her special friend, Jimmy Avants, whose companionship brought her great joy and much happiness in her later years.

Polly will be remembered for her steadfast faith, open heart, generous table, creative spirit, love of animals, and unwavering devotion to family and friends. Her legacy lives on in the lives she nurtured, the meals she shared, the beautiful things she created, the animals she rescued, and the countless acts of kindness that reflected the love of Christ throughout her life.

A viewing will be held on Tuesday, August 11, from 4:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at Pumphrey Funeral Home, 300 W. Montgomery Ave., Rockville, MD 20850, (301) 762-3939.

Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, August 12, at 10:00 a.m. at Oakdale Church, 3515 Emory Church Road, Olney, MD 20832, (301) 774-2030.

Interment will follow at Parklawn Memorial Cemetery in Rockville, Maryland.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Dogs for Better Lives (formerly Dogs for the Deaf) at https://dogsforbetterlives.org or to Friends of Oconee County Animal Shelter at https://www.friendsofocasga.org.

Lord and Stephens Funeral Home, WEST, Watkinsville, GA is in charge of arrangements. www.lordandstephens.com