Martha McAnulty Padgett

Obituary for Martha McAnulty Padgett October 25, 1913December 13, 2013 Martha Padgett, age 100, passed away Friday December 13, 2013 at the Baptist Health Care Center in Lenoir City, Tennessee. She was born on October 25, 1913 in Hickory Valley, Tennessee to the late James Ash and Lilla Jane McAnulty. Her father owned and operated a general merchandise store for 25 years and her mother was a school teacher and home maker. Martha was married to John E. Padgett for 61 years. The couple met at a Bethel College football game in 1931, after which she returned to her dorm room and announced that she had just met the man she would marry someday, "the children are quite thankful for Bethel College" she would say. She lived in McKenzie over 70 years where she was very active in community and church organizations. She was a member of First United Methodist Church until her death and played the piano for her Sunday School Class for many years. Martha was a wonderful wife and mother and greatly loved, respected, and admired by her family. Martha recently celebrated her 100th birthday surrounded by 33 family members arriving from New York, Illinois, Texas, and Tennessee to her nursing home facility in Lenoir City, Tennessee for a wonderful birthday party. She stated that she "had never received so much attention" and loved visiting with each one present. She was preceded in death by her parents, James Ash and Lilla Jane McAnulty of Hickory Valley, Tennessee, a brother James David McAnulty of Bolivar, Tennessee, her husband John E. Padgett, and one daughter Barbara (Joe) Ward of McKenzie. She is survived by three children Judy (Jack) Hall of Loudon, TN, Reverend John (Leslie) Padgett of San Antonio, Texas, Doctor Jim (Norma) Padgett of McKenzie, one sister Jane Cremer of Toone, TN, and one brother Moorman McAnulty of Bolivar, TN. Martha was blessed with eight grandchildren Patti Ward Hernandez, Vada Ward Earnest, Marsha Hall Powell, Amy Hall, Lemira Padgett Vela, Carol Padgett Sullivan, Shannon Padgett Pavesic, David Padgett, and 14 great grandchildren and four great great grandchildren. The family would like to extend their sincere thanks to the staff at "The Neighborhood" assisted living facility of Tellico Village, the Baptist Health Care Center of Lenoir City, TN and Bipinchandra M. Patel, M.D. for their kindness and wonderful care of their mother in her final days. A celebration of Martha's life will be held at 11:00 am on December 21, 2013 at the First United Methodist Church of McKenzie, with visitation preceding the 11 o'clock service at 9:30 am. Interment services will be at Mt. Olivet Cemetery in McKenzie following the funeral services. Click Funeral Home in Tellico Village was in charge of arrangements in East Tennessee and Brummitt-McKenzie Funeral Home is in charge of local arrangements.