Betty Hurt Penley

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of our beloved Betty Hurt Penley, who left us peacefully on August 8th at the age of 89 years old to be with her heavenly Father. She was a loving mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend to all who knew her.

Betty Penley was born on December 21st, 1935 in Griffin, Georgia to William and Rosa Lee Hurt. She spent her early years in Griffin, later moving to Chattanooga, Tennessee. As she grew older, she made a lasting impact on everyone she met through her kindness, selflessness, and unwavering faith.

Betty worked at Siskin Rehabilitation Hospital for 31 years, retiring in August of 2024 at the age of 88.

Through her dedication and hard work, she was able to leave a lasting legacy. Her true passion, however, was always her family. She was a devoted mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, always striving to put others before herself.

Betty was preceded in death by her husband James Penley and is survived by her oldest sister Marjorie Vaughn Weldon. Her legacy lives on in her children, Karen Smith, Tracy Wadley (Dan) and Kelly Martin (Dwight), her grandchildren, Hollie Shelton, Jill Jitima (Nick), Zech Smith (Janine), Jason Smith (Amanda), Meg Arboleda (Juan), Kelsey Whitworth (Luke), Ryan Wadley (Margaret), Sean Wadley (Carolyn), Seth Wadley (Bren), Abby Ball (Jordan), Noah Martin (Kaitlyn), and Emma Martin (Ben - fiancée) and her many great-grandchildren as well as her beloved pets, Daisy and Sassy. She was a constant source of love, warmth, and laughter, and her memory will forever be cherished.

A private, family viewing will be held with a public graveside to follow at the Chattanooga National Cemetery, 1500 Bailey Avenue, Chattanooga, TN 37404 at 11:00 am on Wednesday, August 13, 2025.

From her office window, Betty watched the Siskin Healing Gardens come to life.

In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made in her honor to the Siskin Rehabilitation Hospital Healing Gardens at: www.siskinrehab.org/make-a-gift-now

Please share your thoughts and memories at: www.ChattanoogaEastBrainerdChapel.com

Arrangements are by the East Brainerd Chapel of Chattanooga Funeral Home, 8214 East Brainerd Rd., Chattanooga, TN 37421.