Polly Carmichael

Life of Polly Carmichael

Polly Carmichael was born on April 2, 1929 to the late William and Sallie Canery in Dillon, South Carolina. Out of 9 children, being the only set of twins, she was the first born. Polly was educated in Dillon. She loved and lived life to the fullest. She believed in hard work and was not afraid to get her hands dirty. At a young age, Polly left her home and traveled to Syracuse, New York where she found work at General Electric. In 1951, she met and married Chester Carmichael. She was a loving mother to her two children Margarite Williams and Robert Canery.

A few years later, she relocated to Zeralda Street in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania where she lived with her two children, three grandchildren and nephew. She was highly popular and well respected by her neighbors and in her community. Though Polly loved to party and have fun, she still maintained a tight Christian household. She loved the Lord and kept her faith in Jesus Christ. (JC is what she called him)

Polly’s grandchildren knew her to be the best cook and she made sure everyone had a meal. Her rice and gravy, collard greens, and grits could not be compared to no other. Grandma Polly is what they called her and to her, her grandchildren could do no wrong. Polly always spoke her mind. She said what she meant and meant what she said and taught them the same. She was a “want what I want, when I want it and how I want it” type of person which was always followed by ‘I love you.’ In her many years, she gained much knowledge and gave an abundance of advice.

Polly had many saying’s, her favorites being, “a heap sees but a few know what goes on behind closed doors” and “still kicking but not high.” Even when her health started to fail her, she still could not be held down. She would tell you in a minute, “don’t worry about me, I’m fine” or simply, “I’m not helpless.” She always said she would keep it moving until J.C. calls.

Polly Carmichael was preceded in death by her parents, seven siblings, including her twin sister Molly Canery whom she cherished, and her son Robert Canery. She leaves to carry on her legacy one daughter, Margarite Williams; her nephew, Claude Watson who called her “Bill”; one sister, Lizzie Pernell Ford; one brother, William Douglas Canery (both in South Carolina); six grandsons, Lowell Robinson Jr. (Renarda), Edward Robinson Sr. (Carla), Mark Robinson (Sonja), Reginald Williams aka Reggie Pooh, Donta Upsher, and Albert Upsher; seventeen great grandchildren; twenty-five great great-grandchildren; five special friends, Tony, Marva, Ezel, Ms. Dot and her home health aide, Kimberly; along with a host of nieces, nephews and cousins.