Lucile White Hoffman

Retired Real Estate Agent, Lucy Hoffman, passed away on September 17th, 2025 after a brief illness at the age of 83. Lucy broke into real estate after taking a night course at Overton High School. It was a special career that lasted 38 years in Nashville, TN, her hometown. One of just a handful of women professionals in the 1970s Nashville market, she was a trailblazer in residential and commercial real estate achieving the Board of Realtors Multi Dollar Sales Club award many times. What set Lucy apart was her keen ability to match a client with a unique set of circumstances or needs. She strove to not just “close the deal”, but truly champion and advocate for her clients. She was fortunate with many of her clients to become the family “go to” agent selling them homes or business properties over the course of their lives. Her real estate career allowed her the flexibility and grace to thoughtfully raise her two children, James Marr Hoffman and Robin Meacham Hoffman Wilde, and care for her parents Colonel James White and Katherine Marr White in their later years. She had the ability to give and be present with her family, friends, and clients at an inspirational level. Her greatest joy was a good talk or a well written letter or card.

Lucy was a proud graduate of Harpeth Hall School and Vanderbilt University and kept in touch with many of her friends from both over the course of her life. Starting with Art classes at Vandy, she became a passionate supporter of the arts and an avid watercolorist. She also greatly loved classical music, being a ticket holder of the Nashville Symphony for many years and famously inviting the Blair Quartet to perform at our home. She embodied inclusivity and kindness in an age where there wasn’t even a word for it. One of her close friends and business office partners, Kelly Robertson was a member of the LGBTQ community and unfortunately contracted AIDS in the late 1980s. Mom thoughtfully supported Kelly and his partner all the way to the end. She never bought into the fear or judgement that surrounded that at that time. She relied on science and faith equally. She had friends and adopted family in literally every walk of life and station and modeled the highest level of grace and love to all.

Lucy was a member and active at First Presbyterian Church on Franklin Road for most of her life. She particularly enjoyed helping decorate the church for Christmas for many years. The five foot wire wreaths were hand woven by her along with garlands and big red bows. She also enjoyed the Women’s Journey group at the church very much. When Lucy moved to Knoxville due to issues with her eyesight, she attended Knoxville’s original church First Presbyterian, founded by our family – the Whites – in downtown Knoxville.

Lucy is survived by her son James M. Hoffman and his wife Mily (Miami, FL); Robin Hoffman Wilde, her husband Sean, and granddaughter Savannah (Knoxville, TN), and her older sister Georganna White Payne with her nieces and nephews Laurie, Suzie, Joel, and Ronald. Many, many friends and chosen family as well. We all will dearly miss her sweet smile and strength, but we know in our hearts that she now joins those she loves that have gone before her: Colonel James White, Kay White, Puryear Mims, Grannie Mims, Pat, Dr. Dick, Kelly, Nita, Marshall, Dr. George ...as well as her pet buddies Isis, Big Guy, Spenser Creek, and Meeps.

Services will be held at Mt. Olivet in Nashville, TN on October 1st. Charitable donations in remembrance of her life may be made to Cheekwood Arts and Gardens in Nashville, TN or Random Acts of Flowers in Knoxville, TN.