Cynthia Ann Poteat Sewell

Cynthia Ann Poteat Sewell was born December 13, 1943 in Nashville and died in her hometown on December 19, 2025. She was preceded in death by her parents, Malcolm Samuel and Mary Lewis Poteat; her sisters, Mary Jane Poteat and Sylvia Poteat Cannon; and her nephew and niece, James Malcolm Cannon and Anna Katharine Stallings.

Cynthia grew up in East Nashville, where she attended Isaac Litton High School before graduating from Harpeth Hall and Vanderbilt University.

A preschool teacher at St. George’s, Cynthia loved working with young children. The lessons she shared - shake hands firmly when you meet people, look them in the eye when you talk with them - provided her students with a foundation that would serve them well into adulthood.

Cynthia was a fabulous hostess and cook who loved entertaining and opening her beautiful home to family and friends. As owner of Harpeth Gallery, she shared her passion for hospitality and keen eye for interior design with her many clients. She also served as president of the Board of McNeilly Day Home and was an active volunteer with the Presbyterian Church and Montgomery Bell Academy.

A Nashvillian through and through, Cynthia also enjoyed getaways to Tybee Island and New York City. A lifelong dog lover, she was rarely without a canine companion.

Cynthia loved her family fiercely and prioritized their well-being more than anything in life. She is survived by her sons, Nathan Alexander Sewell (Leigh) and Malcolm Lewis Sewell (Frances), and her grandchildren, Charles Malcolm Sewell, Frederick Alexander Sewell, Olivia Crosby Sewell, and Ruby James Sewell.

The family is eternally grateful to Lorraine Hunter for the compassionate support and friendship she provided to Cynthia over the past few years.

A private graveside service at Woodlawn Memorial Park is planned. In lieu of flowers, please consider giving to the Poteat Scholarship Fund at Harpeth Hall.