Martha L.S. Penuel

Martha Lee Smith Penuel died Sept. 20, 2020.

She is survived by her husband of nearly 38 years, Richard B. Penuel, of Nashville; sister, Gail (Whitney) McFarlin; and by children, Martha (Lance) Lott, Jerry K. Humphreys Jr., Thomas S. (Tricia) Humphreys, and stepchildren, Bill (Edie) Penuel and David (Amy) Penuel.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Dr. Euclid Monroe Smith and Madge Wootten Smith, of Hot Springs, Ark. Lee was loved by all who knew her. She was someone who nurtured many, especially her family throughout her life, and had a great gift for communication.

Lee was born in Hot Springs in 1937 and graduated as valedictorian of her senior class at Hot Springs High School. She attended Randolph-Macon College and earned a bachelor’s degree from Vanderbilt University in 1959. A lifelong writer, Lee was a newspaper editor in high school who later became a public relations professional in Nashville, who was part of major campaigns for Nissan’s arrival in Middle Tennessee and St. Thomas Hospital. As a volunteer, she led efforts to help children and adults with disabilities be fully included in school and the life of their communities. She was a member of Calvary United Methodist Church throughout the 1970s, before joining and becoming an active member of Westminster Presbyterian Church at the time of her marriage to her husband Rich in 1982. Lee especially appreciated the support of the Westminster community, particularly in the past year, and the many friends she and Rich made through the church.

Donations in her memory can be made to Westminster Presbyterian Church, Calvary United Methodist Church, the YMCA of Green Hills, or the Ensworth School.

Services will be held for Lee virtually at Westminster Presbyterian Church at 3 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 26, via livestream at https:// vimeo.com/event/6716. Short visitation periods by appointment over Zoom from 9:30-11:30 a.m. Saturday. Signup here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/LeePenuel.