Susan Elizabeth Polen-Zimmerle, age 79 of Greenbrier passed away Friday, October 2, 2026. Funeral services will be held at 2pm on Friday, October 9th in the chapel of Austin &
Bell Funeral Home in Greenbrier with John Elmore, Dallas Polen, Ian St. Vincent, Hunter Eden, Andy Griffin, Dwayne Wilson, Martin Schmidt and Derek Dowdell serving as pallbearers. The family will receive friends on Thursday, October 8th from 4pm to 8pm at the funeral home and again on Friday, from 12pm until time of service.
Susan graduated from Two Rivers High School in Donelson, TN and went on to the University of Mississippi and then completed her graduate studies in Education at MTSU.
Susan married Wallace Eugene “Gene” Polen and shortly after marriage they moved to Ridgetop, TN in the early 1970’s. They had two children, Troy and Shannon. She started her teaching career at Greenbrier Jr. High School and later on in her career she became the Educator of the Robertson County Schools Challenge Program.
Susan always said that “when you start teaching the grandkids of students you have taught, it’s time to retire”. She absolutely loved being an educator making lifelong connections with so many students.
After losing Gene in a car accident in 1986, she married Charles “Chip” Zimmerle to whom she was married until his passing in 2004.
Susan was preceded in death by her parents, Edward Leo and Elsie Sue Gray and sister, Elsa Norma Gray. Susan leaves behind two children, Troy (Kim) Polen, Shannon (Ginger) Polen; grandchildren, Megan, (Ian) St. Vincent, Dallas Polen, Ella Polen, Breanna Polen, Hunter Eden; greatgrandchild, Milena “Millie” St. Vinent and brother, Larry Gray as well as many wonderful friends who meant so much to her.
She will be remembered for the life she lived, her passion in everything she lived for, from being first Elected Mayor in Robertson County (City of Ridgetop) to the best mother, grandmother “Granny” and friend that anyone could ask for.
She will be deeply missed and her memory will live on through lives she touched as well as in the hearts and minds of students, family and friends.
Online condolences may be made at www.austinandbell.com
