Emma Juanita Dudley Penson

Emma Juanita Dudley Penson left her earthly temple to go to her heavenly home on
August 30, 2024. Emma was born in McKenzie, TN to the union of Aaron and Connie
Horton/Oglesby Dudley on March 21, 1943, at midnight. She had five brothers Eugene,
Tom Frank, Wallace, Bobbie and Aaron “Slick” and three sisters Ethel Joyce “Sister”,
Joyce Elizabeth and Aery Beatrice. Emma attended Webb School and graduated in
1961. Emma’s birth order was 6 out of 9 children. She graduated from Webb High in
McKenzie, then graduated from Henry Co. Hospital in Nursing school as an LPN, she
continued her training and graduated from Walters State Community College with her
RN degree. She graduated from UT with a degree in Psychology. Emma believed that
the body is a living temple of the Holy Spirit – 1 Corinthians 9:16. Life to her was a
journey and that we are here for a reason. She worked at Henry Co. Hospital, Blount
Memorial Hospital, Dept. of Public Health/UT Knoxville Reproductive Center, Peninsula
Hospital, Home Health, New Providence Presbyterian Church, Baptist Hospital where
she worked with Mount Olive Baptist Church as their Parish Nurse. She was a volunteer
on Mission trips and a medical clinic for the homeless.

Her childhood dream was to live in the mountains and to have a home on a hill. She
married Joe Ronald Penson, and he made her dream a reality on January 5, 1974, with
one child Robert Tyrone Penson. Joe Penson was more than her husband. They were
best friends and knew without a doubt each of us had the other’s back.

Both parents and seven siblings preceded her in death. She was preceded in death by
her spouse, Joe Ronald Penson. She leaves to cherish her memory son, Robert
(Melissa) Penson; grandchildren, Elijah Cox-Penson, Isiah Cox-Penson, Taylor Penson,
Jaylen Penson, Emma Brewer, Kennedy Mitchell, Ryleigh Penson, Acelynn Penson,
Zoie Penson, Realynn Penson; bonus grandson, Dakari Harris.

Memorial services will be held Friday, September 6, 2024 at 12 noon at Mother Love
Baptist Church, 3919 Wrights Ferry Road, Louisville, TN 37777 with Rev. Dr. Lorrin
Harris, officiating. Family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the church.
Final arrangements entrusted to Foothills Funeral Home, Maryville www.foothillsfh.com