Lyna Faye (Copley) Pennycuff, 73, of Jamestown, Tennessee passed away peacefully in her home on August 25, 2024, surrounded by her loving family. She was born to Juan C. and Mildred Linder Copley on June 22, 1951, at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, and was the eldest of their five daughters.

Lyna graduated from Alvin C. York Institute in 1969, becoming one of the first third-generation graduates of the school. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Tennessee in 1972 and later received both a Master’s degree and an Education Specialist degree from Tennessee Technological University. She began her professional career as an extension agent for the University of Tennessee, leaving to open Stay and Play Discovery School while her daughters were young. Lyna then became a classroom teacher for the Scott County, Oneida City, and Fentress County school districts. She was a devoted educator, teaching all grades from Head Start to Adult Education, with the exception of kindergarten. Lyna also served as an elementary school guidance counselor, where she enjoyed teaching social-emotional and life skills. After retiring from the school district, she went on to serve as a university supervisor for Tennessee Technological University, helping pre-service teachers. She and her husband, Joe D. Pennycuff, also started Sycamore Springs Christmas Tree Farm with their son-in-law and daughter, Matt and Kacee Harris, and their family. Lyna loved sharing local and Tennessee history for fall field trips and adored getting to play a role in the holiday traditions of many families.

After being high school sweethearts, Lyna married Joe D. Pennycuff on July 25, 1970. They recently celebrated 54 years of marriage, and friends often commented on the depth of their love for each other. Lyna is survived by three daughters: Kristen Trent and husband, Shane, of Farragut, Tennessee; Kelley Thompson and husband, Joseph, of Farragut, Tennessee; and Kacee Harris and husband, Matt, of Jamestown, Tennessee. She is also survived by seven grandchildren: Ava Grace Thompson, Graham Thompson, Sullivan Harris, Copley Trent, Caroline Trent, Nolan Harris, and Holland Harris. Lyna also leaves behind her four younger sisters: Jeanne Copley of Nashville, Tennessee; Rebecca Greer of Jamestown, Tennessee; Kaye O’Brien of Cookeville, Tennessee; and Suzan Copley of Jamestown, Tennessee. Lyna also will be missed by a host of nieces, nephews, extended family, and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents, Juan C. and Mildred Linder Copley.

One of her daughters recalled seeing a class of first graders leaving Lyna’s guidance counseling classroom with red ribbons tied around their wrists. When she commented on it, one of the children told her “Mrs. Pennycuff said this is so we can remember that we’re the best present our parents ever got!” This exemplified Lyna’s philosophy. She often said that her greatest legacy was her family. Lyna loved making both everyday moments and large accomplishments special. Cooking was her love language, and she used her talents in the kitchen to entertain crowds both large and small. “Grandmama Cookies” were one of her many specialties, and she always insisted that grandchildren needed two at a time…one for each hand. In her younger years, Lyna was an expert seamstress, often making her three daughters dresses in coordinating fabrics. Later, she used her talents in making custom curtains, pillows, and bedding for her children and grandchildren. Lyna loved cultural events, museums, musicals, and storytelling, particularly those collected in Appalachia. She also was a past president of the District Four Extension Home Economists, the Jetsetters Home Demonstration Club, and the Fentress County Education Association.

Lyna battled metastatic cancer for over eight years. She frequently told others that she was a walking miracle. She also loved to say that while she had excellent doctors and medicine, she had an even better God. In her prayer journal, she wrote, “Dear God, everywhere I walk, let it be on Your path. Everything I see, let it be through Your eyes. Everything I do, let it be in Your will. For every hardship that I have, let me place it in Your hand.” Lyna was a Proverbs 31 lady: “She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue. She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness. Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her” (verses 26-28).

A memorial service will be held at the Jamestown Methodist Church on Tuesday, August 27, receiving friends at 3:30 pm with a celebration of life at 5:00 pm. The family requests that Lyna’s passion for reading be carried on by donating to the Fentress County Imagination Library. Donations in her memory can be made in the care of Carol Watson, 308 S Main Street, #101, Jamestown, TN 38556.

Jennings Funeral Homes of Jamestown is in charge of cremation and the family is in charge of the services for Lyna Faye (Copley) Pennycuff of Jamestown.