Joseph Hamilton Polhill

Joe Polhill passed away suddenly and unexpectantly on Thursday, May 31, 2018, from complications associated with Rheumatoid Arthritis. The family has requested that contributions be made to the Rheumatoid Arthritis Foundation or the American Lung Association in lieu of flowers. His services will be held at 7:00 pm on Tuesday, June 5, and visitors will be received by the family at 5:30 pm at Turner’s Chapel.

Joe will be missed by his family and friends that he loved so dearly. He and Mellie were married for 47 wonderful years. Their daughter Nicole was his pride and joy and his granddaughter, Sydney was the light of his life for the last three years. Joe was close to his siblings, Jim, John, Phil and Mary. A month before his passing he was walking on the beach with his brothers and sister at St. Simons Island, GA laughing and sharing memories.

When friends and family remember Joe, his love of family comes immediately to mind. His loyalty was steadfast. If Joe loved you, he never asked if you were right or wrong, he was just on your side.

Joe was an accomplished musician and loved music. Just a month ago he attended his high school reunion and he and his band mates played for their friend and classmates. For years, Joe sang and played piano with Larry, Wade, Meade and Pete, the group that was formed during their high school years. He clearly passed on his love of music and hopefully his talent to his granddaughter, Sydney, who runs for the piano whenever she visits.

After becoming a Master Gardner, Joe worked at Pike Nurseries Wholesale. He consulted with Landscapers to select and acquire plants and flowers that continue to beautify the city of Atlanta. He volunteered at the Atlanta Botanical garden. Joe was a virtual fountain of information regarding anything that sprouted out of the ground. It was such a pleasure to tour the gardens with Joe by your side. Further, he always generously gave of his time and expertise to friends and family who called upon him to save their dying shrubs and flowers.

Joe was a wonderful photographer and many of his works grace the homes of the people he loved. Some of his most beautiful photographs were taken on the beaches and in the marsh lands of South Georgia.

Joe was funny. His dry sense of humor and particular observations of everyday life could add levity to any conversation that became too over intellectualized or serious. With a straight face, he would add a comment that may take a few second to process before it cracked you up.

Joe was secure within himself. You always knew where he stood. He preferred Mellie’s food, he always wore a baseball cap, he loved the Georgia Dawgs, he hated the Gators, he refused to wear orange and blue at the same time, he was Sydney’s Papa, he was Santa Clause for a while, he wore his hippie robes at costume parties, he managed the floods in the back yard and most wonderfully he support Mellie in everything that she wanted to do.

Mellie was the love of Joe’s life. She was by his side and he by hers from the time they met as young college students at Georgia College. They complimented each other at a level that inspired everyone who knew them. Joe and Mellie, Mellie and Joe, the phrase that became one word. Joeandmellie…mellieandjoe.

Joe adored his daughter Nicole from the time she was placed in his hands at her birth to the last moment of his life. For Nicole he was her father, her friend, her coach and her mentor. He was always on the side lines instructing or supporting whether she was playing a sport, achieving academically, marrying the love of her life, Cameron and giving birth to their daughter, Sydney.

Joe will be so missed by his friends and family. He played such a constant and important role in their lives. He left them with beautiful memories they created together.