Martha Merritt ("Polly") Chisman died December 10, 2014, after a long and severe decline in health. Born April 24,1924 in Hawaii as an "Army Brat," she met her husband-to-be, Thomas P. Chisman, at Hampton High School while her father was stationed at Fort Monroe. She left Hollins College after one year in order to marry her by-then Naval Lieutenant JG before he left for duty in World War II. She spent her adult life raising her family in Hampton. Polly was predeceased by her parents, Col. and Mrs. W. B. Merritt, husband Tom, daughter Beth, sister Sally Merritt, and son-in-law Chippy Martin. She is survived by her three remaining children and two of their spouses, Thomas P. Chisman, Jr. and June, Pamela C. Martin, and Anne C. Abraham and Warren. She is further survived by fourteen and three-quarters grandchildren, as well as nineteen great-grandchildren and one great-great grandchild. During her youth, Polly was active in water sports and horseback riding, and continued enthusiastically playing tennis well into middle-age. A whiz with a needle and thread, floss or yarn, she was a founding and long-time member of the "Sew-Sa-Go Ladies," who met weekly to sew, sail (in the summer months), and GO! Polly was an adored and devoted wife, a much-loved and loving mother, a great cook, and the creator of many special memories for her children and grandchildren. She was fun-loving, and blessed with a good sense of humor and inner strength by which she was able to conquer most of life's ups and downs. Those who are left behind will miss her quiet smile and loving eyes. The family would like to offer special thanks to her caregivers at James River Convalescent, especially Princess, Tammy, June, Elaine, Kathy, Sandy, and numerous other nurses and aides who loved her through her illness. The funeral will be held at St. John's Episcopal Church, Hampton, on Sunday, December 14, 2014, at 1:30 p.m. R. Hayden Smith Funeral Home, Hampton is in charge of the arrangements. The family requests that memorials take the form of contributions to St. John's Episcopal Church or a favorite charity.
