Pauline Wattenbarger Land, 84, of Titusville, Fla., went to be with the Lord on Tuesday, Feb. 14, 2017.

Polly was born in Decatur, on Aug. 2, 1932, the daughter of the late Allen B. and Mattie Miller Wattenbarger. She lived most of her life in Meigs and McMinn counties, and was preceded in death by one son, William “Billy” Land Jr.; and one sister, Grace Wattenbarger Lotz.

She was a graduate of Meigs County High School and the Knoxville General Hospital School of Nursing Class of 1953. From the time she was a little girl who bandaged up the family dog after it had broken its leg, she felt that she was called to a career in nursing. She worked as a nurse for more than 40 years at Foree Hospital, Epperson Hospital and, later, at Woods Memorial Hospital, where she became their first director of nursing. A surgery suite at Woods is named in honor of her many years of service.

She was a longtime member of North Etowah Baptist Church and a member of the Golden Circle Sunday School Class until her move to Florida to be closer to family, where she became a member of First Baptist Church of Titusville. To the delight of her family, friends and co-workers, she was an outstanding cook and baker who often shared that talent with them over the years. She loved to travel and, in her retirement years, she and Ralph managed to visit all 50 states, along with most of the Caribbean and Canada.

She is survived by her beloved husband of 58 years, Ralph Land, and daughter, Debbie Land, both of Titusville, Fla.; and several nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be 2 p.m. Saturday in the chapel of Laycock-Hobbs Funeral Home with the Rev. Mark Wade officiating. Interment will follow in Buttram’s Chapel Cemetery.

The family will receive friends from noon to 2 p.m. Saturday at the funeral home.

Those wishing may make memorial contributions to North Etowah Baptist Church, 231 Pennsylvania Ave., Etowah, TN 37331, www.northetowah.org; or First Baptist Church of Titusville, 303 Main St., Titusville, FL 32796, www.fbctitusville.org

Those unable to attend may send condolences at www.laycock-hobbs.com

Laycock-Hobbs Funeral Home of Athens is in charge of arrangements.