Charles Martin Penley

Asheville Charles Martin Penley, 82, of 11 Oak Crest Drive, passed away Monday, February 27, 2006 at the VA Medical Center following a period of declining health. A lifelong resident of Buncombe County, he worked as a mechanic at the Studebaker dealership and sold pre-owned autos for a number of years before retiring from Taylor Instruments as a foreman with 18 years of service. He was a member of Newfound Baptist Church, and served proudly in the US Army during World War II. His hobbies included NASCAR racing, baseball, fishing and golf. Mr. Penley was the son of the late Burb and Dora Martin Penley, and the widower of Ernestine Elizabeth Creech Penley, who passed away in 1961. He was also preceded in death by two sons: Charles Martin Penley, Jr. and Thomas Dale Penley; a grandson, Robert Kevin Penley, and two brothers: Jake Penley and Carter Penley, Sr. Surviving are his companion since 1962, Grace Caldwell; his son, Danny Penley and wife Bobbie Ann of Greenville, SC; two daughters: Sandra Moore and Shirley Chambers, both of Burlington, NC; grandchildren: Rene Taylor, Chuck Penley, and Daniel Jerome Penley, Jr., all of Greenville, Michelle Grancell of Menlo Park, CA, Wayne Chambers, Jr., of Burlington, Michael Lynn Chambers of Wisconsin, Stacey Morton of Archdale, NC, Anna Lassiter of Seneca, SC, and Joni McPhetridge of Zebulon, NC; 10 great-grandchildren; nephew, Carter L. Penley, Jr., and a host of special friends. Funeral services will be held at 2 PM Thursday in the chapel of Anders-Rice Funeral Home, with the Rev. Robert Harris officiating. Burial will be in Newfound Baptist Church Cemetery, with military graveside rites conducted by the Clyde A. Erwin High School ROTC. The family will receive friends from 7-9 PM Wednesday at the funeral home.