Dorothy Watson Polk

Dorothy Watson Polk, 89, of Raleigh, NC was born to Thomas Reed Watson and Virginia Hefner Watson on September 23, 1934, in Hickory, NC. She passed away on September 27, 2023, at Transitions LifeCare Hospice Home in Raleigh, NC surrounded by family.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Rev. Norman Lanier Polk, who passed away on February 14, 2004, at the age of 69 and her brother Harold Reed Watson (Billie) of Shelby.

Dorothy is survived by her three children, Donna Polk Hitchings (Steve), Deborah Polk Page, and Janice Polk Mobed (Jamshed); her five grandchildren, Nathaniel Louis Hitchings (Patricia), Sarah Hitchings Gajowski (Jared), Jenny Claire Mobed, Brandon Lanier Page, and Audrey Elaine Mobed; and two great grandchildren, Hattie Nora and McGuire Marie Hitchings. She is also survived by two brothers, Thomas Richard Watson (Lynne, deceased) and William Edward Watson (Elaine).

A devout Christian and educator, Dorothy grew up in Hickory, NC, and graduated from Hickory High and Lenior Rhyne University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Education in 1956. She moved with her family to Wilson, NC, and met the love of her life, Norman Lanier Polk, while teaching at Margaret Hearne and they were married on August 24th, 1958. She loves to tell the story of him asking her on their first date by inquiring as to whether or not she liked football. For those who knew her, Mom not only liked football and basketball, but she was also passionate about ACC sports and made sure to see every game (even if was past her bedtime and she had to record it). She remembered the players and coaches and knew what time and what channel to find all the games so she could plan her day accordingly.

She was proud to call herself a “tomboy” or “daredevil” and said she always had skinned knees growing up from something she had done. She played basketball, pushed her kids in the stroller on roller skates, loved rides, and even tried out the trampoline once that came along.  

Dorothy joined the choir of every church she attended. Music was a very important part of her life, and she had seen every musical and was always humming a tune no matter what she was doing. She loved hearing the organ and piano, orchestra performances, and watching her granddaughters and grandsons in their choir, band, and dance recitals.

Her favorite times were when her family was together and she enjoyed her children and spouses, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and granddogs when they came to visit.

Dorothy was an active member for 32 years in CWF, the choir, and served as an elder at Macclesfield First Christian Church where her husband Rev. Norman Polk was the minister for five years. After moving to Raleigh in 2016, Dorothy attended Hillyer Memorial Christian Church with her daughter, Janice Mobed and family.

Her Celebration of Life will be held on October 21st at 11am at Macclesfield First Christian Church (200 E Green Street) and a graveside service will directly follow at Macclesfield Cemetery (558 S Fountain Rd, Macclesfield, NC).

Gifts in Dorothy’s memory can be made to Macclesfield First Christian Church or to Hillyer Memorial Christian Church, Youth Department

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