Penny Ragsdale

Born on November 2, 1943 in Elkin, North Carolina, Penny moved to Atlanta to be with her sister Twinkle in 1960.  On March 30, 1961, she married Ray Ragsdale AKA Ray Stevens. She and Ray moved to Nashville in 1962 to follow his rising star in music business while Ray worked for Mercury Records. Throughout their marriage, Penny was very supportive of Ray as he pursued his career around the world. She even accepted his Grammy for "Everything is Beautiful" at the ceremony in New York because Ray was performing in Australia. She was devoted to her children and worked hard to enable them to enjoy a “normal” life away from the music business. She was fiercely devoted to her two girls and to her grandchildren, always ready to show you pictures and tell you of their accomplishments. She demonstrated tremendous poise and bravery in her fight against Esophageal Cancer. She had an eye for style that was obvious to all who knew her.

Preceded in death by her parents, Dewitt and Kathleen Jackson and sister, Twinkle Eve Jackson. Survived by her loving husband of 60 years, Ray Ragsdale; brother, Steve Jackson; children, Timi Lynn Oothout and Suzi Ragsdale; grandchildren, Hayden Bradberry Oothout (Caitlin), Emma Oothout, Aubrey Oothout, and Willis Oothout; great grandchildren, Isabelle and Waverly; many nieces, nephews and extended family.

A Life Celebration will be held 2:30pm, Tuesday, January 11th. Visitation will be 1:30pm-2:30pm at Harpeth Hills Funeral Home, 9090 Hwy 100, Nashville, TN 37221, 615-646-9292, harpethhills.com