Joan Kathleen Pulley

Joan Huss Pulley, 66, of Beaufort, NC, passed away on Monday, December 23, 2013 at Presbyterian Hospital in Charlotte after a brief illness.

A native of Atlanta, Joan spent most of her adult life in the Triangle area and was married to Paul Pulley, Jr., who preceded her in death by only three months. She was also preceded in death by her father John Conley Huss, brother Benjamin Blake Huss and step-daughter Margaret Necessary.

Born on November 6, 1947, Joan grew up in the Atlanta neighborhood where the movie Driving Miss Daisy was filmed. As a young woman, she moved to Oklahoma City where she worked for the WKY broadcast stations as a program planner and executive assistant.

After her children were born, Joan moved to Raleigh and became a stay at home mom. As they grew older, she began working part-time and then full-time for the Judiciary Committee at the North Carolina General Assembly. In 1986 Joan joined Glaxo (GlaxoSmithKline) as an executive assistant and was soon promoted to manager of the company's Political Action Committee. As a result of her efforts, Glaxo's PAC became the largest in the pharmaceutical industry. Joan often spoke at public affairs conferences sharing strategy on PAC management and recruitment. During her time at GlaxoSmithKline she also served on the Board of the North Carolina Biotechnology Center.

When her husband Paul retired from his Durham law practice, Joan joined him in retirement, relocating in 1999 to their home in Beaufort. Joan became active in the Crystal Coast community and pursued her life-long interest in real estate as a second career. She became a real estate broker in Beaufort working with buyers of homes along the Crystal Coast and promoting the area's beauty.

Joan was a member of the North Carolina Travel and Tourism Board, the Board of Governors of the Beaufort Historical Association and a Board Member of the North Carolina Aquarium. As the Chair Emeritus of the Carteret County Chamber of Commerce, Joan used her background in public affairs to serve the Chamber as its Public Relations and Legislative Affairs director. She also leveraged her fund-raising skills for the Crystal Coast Hospice House, serving as its Lead and Major Gifts Committee Chair and on the Board of Directors.

Joan's devotion to Carteret County was evident in the work she did with the Highway 70 Corridor Commission. She was a member of the Commission since its inception and served by appointment of the Governor. She loved and championed the Crystal Coast area.

Above all, Joan loved her family and friends. Her beautiful smile, effervescent spirit, determination and endless sense of humor drew people to her. Her memory will long shine in those who knew and loved her.

She is survived by her mother, Jo Crowley Huss of Beaufort; her brother, Rex Huss of Atlanta, her daughters, Kristi O'Mellan (Kevin) of Salisbury, NC; Kari Hallman (Cain) of Lincolnton, NC; a son, Kirby Trey Raley III of Raleigh, NC (JoEllen); a step daughter, Debbie McKnight (Brad) of Pittsboro, NC; and three stepsons, William Paul Pulley III (Peggy) of Durham, NC; Bradley Pulley of Durham, NC; and Hugh Tripp Nelson (Robin) of Morehead City, NC. She was blessed with 14 grandchildren.

Joan was buried with her husband, Paul, in her family's plot at Resthaven Gardens of Memory in Decatur, Georgia. A Celebration of Joan's life will be held Saturday, January 18 at 3:30 PM at The Boathouse, 2400 Lennoxville Road, Beaufort, NC.

In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to Crystal Coast Hospice House, 100 Big Rock Weigh, Newport, NC 28570; or the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, 26 Broadway, New York, NY 10004.








Funeral Home:
A.S. Turner
2773 N. Decatur Road
Decatur, GA
30033