Ernest Lyall Penley

Ernest Lyall Penley, 75, passed away Wednesday, August 17, 2016. Memorial services will be at 2:00PM on Saturday, August 20, 2016 in the chapel of Hart's at the Cupola, 6324 Peake Road, with Father Richard Keil officiating. A reception will follow the service at the Cupola. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, PO Box 4527, New York, NY 10163 or the Macon Symphony Orchestra, 400 Poplar Street, Macon, Georgia 31201. Mr. Penley was born in Chattanooga, Tennessee, and grew up in Lookout Mountain, Georgia, and Burleson, Texas. He was an accomplished organist, pianist, and horn player. Some of his fondest memories were of playing trumpet in the Chattanooga High School Band under Director Albert Casavant. Under Casavant's tutelage, the Chattanooga High School Band never lost in competition. Later as a student at Emory University, Mr. Penley played French Horn with the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra. Mr. Penley began his own musical instrument business at age 30 in Athens, Georgia, subsequently expanding to Macon, Georgia, and Melbourne, Florida. He brightened the lives of many with his musical talents and was a wonderful friend and supporter of musicians throughout the area. He served on the Macon Symphony Orchestra Board of Directors from 1987 to 1991. Mr. Penley loved traveling, especially in Europe, flying and scuba diving. He also liked bird watching and loved his dogs Lucy and Gracie He is survived by his loving wife of 25 years, Jeanie Thames of Macon; four children, Teresa Penley-Sheppard of Atlanta, Steve Penley of Atlanta, Chris Penley (Leslie) of Chicago, Illinois, and Holden Penley of Nashville, Tennessee; eight grandchildren, Keller Sheppard, Erin Sheppard, Lyall Penley, Abbey Penley, Parker Penley, Allison Penley, Elle Penley, and Weston Penley; parents-in-law, Bill and Doris Thames of Henderson, Georgia; sisters-in-law, Jill McGuire (Greg) of Macon, Carolyn Wood (Allen) of Henderson, Georgia, and Cindy Ott (Stephen) of Alpharetta, Georgia; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents Thomas E. Penley and Lenora Lyall Penley of St. Elmo, Tennessee. Register online at www.hartsmort.com. Hart's Mortuary at the Cupola has charge of arrangements.