Obituary for Pauline Elizabeth Cassell (Case)
Pauline “Polly” Elizabeth Case Cassell, age 96, went home to be with her Lord and Savior on July 27, 2020.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Thern Cassell; her daughters, Phyllis Griffiths and Gloria Hendershot; her grandson, Michael O'Kelly; her great grandson, Tre Hendershot; and great-great granddaughter, Aliyana Cassulis. She is survived by her sister Evelyn Stephens of Asheville, NC; sister Barbara (John) Fedock of Asheville, NC; brother Mack (Carol) Case of Asheville, NC; son-in-law David Griffiths of Brevard, NC; daughter Kathryn O'Kelly of West Virgina; as well as nine grandchildren, 16 great grandchildren, and seven great-great grandchildren.
She was born to the late Paul Case and Elizabeth Davis Case on January 31, 1924. She was the eldest of 8 children. She grew up in the small community of Azalea, NC. Despite receiving only a 5th grade education, Polly went on to lead a very accomplished life. She married at 16 to a military man and traveled around the US as well as overseas. While living at Fort Moultrie, SC, she fell in love with the beach. One of her favorite pastimes was collecting shells along the shore to make crafts. She and her husband made many trips even later in life to Myrtle Beach, SC, as well as to her favorite beach, Sanibel Island, FL. For three years her husband was stationed at Camp Zama in Tokyo Japan and while living there, Polly spent her time learning about the culture in Japan and getting to know the people around her. She taught Japanese children English and lead a Bible study group with her husband. Even well into her 90s she could still remember many of the Japanese words she learned during her time in Japan. She was also a very good singer and sang many times at the USO for the troops.
Polly was very passionate about her faith and no matter where they lived made sure to be actively involved in the church. Her favorite age group to work with were teenagers. She enjoyed keeping them busy with Bible studies and youth mission trips. All throughout her life, she was involved in the church whether it was leading a study group or singing in the choir.
Polly was also well known for her wonderful meals, especially desserts. She was known later in life as “The Pound Cake Lady,” and try as anyone might, no one has been able to recreate her famous pound cake. Her son-in-law, David Griffiths liked to refer to her as the “Fried Chicken Momma” because her fried chicken was so good. He says he has never had fried chicken as good as hers.
In February of 2014, Polly moved from her house in Brevard to the Cedar Mountain House, an assisted living facility. She was very proud of the fact she chose to move there. She kept herself busy with activities and games, especially Bingo. She always kept a tidy room and she even won an award once for having the best kept room. She made many friends while at the Cedar Mountain House and the staff all loved her. Many of the staff even referred to her as “Grandmommie” rather than Miss Polly. It seems that no matter where Polly went, she was loved by all around her and she returned that love to them tenfold. Whether it was through making dinners for her own family or a family in need, or through sewing clothes and quilts for her grandchildren, or just wrapping her arms around you in a warm embrace, she was always ready to show her love for the people she loved.
The family would like to thank the staff at The Cedar Mountain House for the outstanding care they provided for Polly during her 6 years residing there. They went above and beyond many times, and she loved each and every one of them. We cannot thank you enough!
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Alzheimer's Association online at www.alz.org or the Alzheimer's Foundation online at www.alzdn.org
Online condolences may be left at www.moodyconnollyfuneralhome.com
Moody-Connolly Funeral Home and Crematory are caring for the family.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Thern Cassell; her daughters, Phyllis Griffiths and Gloria Hendershot; her grandson, Michael O'Kelly; her great grandson, Tre Hendershot; and great-great granddaughter, Aliyana Cassulis. She is survived by her sister Evelyn Stephens of Asheville, NC; sister Barbara (John) Fedock of Asheville, NC; brother Mack (Carol) Case of Asheville, NC; son-in-law David Griffiths of Brevard, NC; daughter Kathryn O'Kelly of West Virgina; as well as nine grandchildren, 16 great grandchildren, and seven great-great grandchildren.
She was born to the late Paul Case and Elizabeth Davis Case on January 31, 1924. She was the eldest of 8 children. She grew up in the small community of Azalea, NC. Despite receiving only a 5th grade education, Polly went on to lead a very accomplished life. She married at 16 to a military man and traveled around the US as well as overseas. While living at Fort Moultrie, SC, she fell in love with the beach. One of her favorite pastimes was collecting shells along the shore to make crafts. She and her husband made many trips even later in life to Myrtle Beach, SC, as well as to her favorite beach, Sanibel Island, FL. For three years her husband was stationed at Camp Zama in Tokyo Japan and while living there, Polly spent her time learning about the culture in Japan and getting to know the people around her. She taught Japanese children English and lead a Bible study group with her husband. Even well into her 90s she could still remember many of the Japanese words she learned during her time in Japan. She was also a very good singer and sang many times at the USO for the troops.
Polly was very passionate about her faith and no matter where they lived made sure to be actively involved in the church. Her favorite age group to work with were teenagers. She enjoyed keeping them busy with Bible studies and youth mission trips. All throughout her life, she was involved in the church whether it was leading a study group or singing in the choir.
Polly was also well known for her wonderful meals, especially desserts. She was known later in life as “The Pound Cake Lady,” and try as anyone might, no one has been able to recreate her famous pound cake. Her son-in-law, David Griffiths liked to refer to her as the “Fried Chicken Momma” because her fried chicken was so good. He says he has never had fried chicken as good as hers.
In February of 2014, Polly moved from her house in Brevard to the Cedar Mountain House, an assisted living facility. She was very proud of the fact she chose to move there. She kept herself busy with activities and games, especially Bingo. She always kept a tidy room and she even won an award once for having the best kept room. She made many friends while at the Cedar Mountain House and the staff all loved her. Many of the staff even referred to her as “Grandmommie” rather than Miss Polly. It seems that no matter where Polly went, she was loved by all around her and she returned that love to them tenfold. Whether it was through making dinners for her own family or a family in need, or through sewing clothes and quilts for her grandchildren, or just wrapping her arms around you in a warm embrace, she was always ready to show her love for the people she loved.
The family would like to thank the staff at The Cedar Mountain House for the outstanding care they provided for Polly during her 6 years residing there. They went above and beyond many times, and she loved each and every one of them. We cannot thank you enough!
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Alzheimer's Association online at www.alz.org or the Alzheimer's Foundation online at www.alzdn.org
Online condolences may be left at www.moodyconnollyfuneralhome.com
Moody-Connolly Funeral Home and Crematory are caring for the family.