At the age of 101, Myra Lee Denney, Oak Grove Baptist Church's most senior member, passed away on Wednesday, December 18, 2024. Mrs. Denney was born on April 21, 1923, in Carroll County, Georgia, the daughter of the late Henry Webster Lee and Leila Todd Lee.

After graduating from Roopville High School at the age of 17, she married Howard Denney in 1940. The couple spent much of World War II in Charleston, South Carolina, where Howard worked in the shipyards helping build ships for the war effort. Mrs. Denney worked with kindergartners at Central Primary School for many years, where she became the legendary "tooth puller." The last phase of her career was working at the University of West Georgia Post Office, where she enjoyed interacting with older students and making many new friends.

All her grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren, as well as many friends and relatives, affectionately called her "Denney," a sweet nickname her first grandchild, Jeff, came up with. Denney brought so much fun into the lives of her family, especially her kids and grandkids. She loved to dress up for holidays—Halloween was always a blast—and on Christmas Eve, she would don a Santa suit to playfully scare her grandchildren into getting ready for bed! Over her amazing 101 years, she created a treasure trove of memories and embraced hobbies like crocheting, fishing, and cheering for her favorite sports teams. She was truly a wonderful woman, and her vibrant spirit will be deeply missed.

In addition to her parents, Mrs. Denney was preceded in death by her husband, Howard Denney; son, Dale Denney; grandchildren, Cullie Denney, Jean Duke, and Tommy Poncela; and sisters, Joyce McKibben, Faye Lanier, and Edith Marlow.

Survivors include her children and their spouses, Diane & Allen Rooks, Gelene & Ray North, Jane & Russell Cooper, and David & Mary Denney; sisters & brother-in-law, Jean White and Helen & Johnny Acree; brother Troy Lee; 11 grandchildren; 21 great-grandchildren; and ten great-great-grandchildren.

The family will receive friends at Oak Grove Baptist Church on Friday, December 20, 2024, from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM and again on Saturday, December 21, 2024, from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM.

A funeral service will be held to honor and celebrate Mrs. Denney's life on Saturday, December 21, 2024, at 2:00 PM from Oak Grove Baptist Church, with Dr. Stephen Peeples and Pastor David McCracken officiating. Interment will follow in the church cemetery, with Jeff Rooks, Patrick Cooper, John Rooks, Ben Parker, Elizabeth Poncela, Bles Denney, Noah Copeland, and Mason Denney serving as pallbearers.

Flowers are welcome. However, those wishing to make a memorial contribution in Mrs. Denney's name may donate to Oak Grove's Lottie Moon Christmas Offering or Oak Grove's Samaritan Purse Fund.

Oak Grove Baptist Church

2829 Oak Grove Church Road

Carrollton, Georgia 30117

Condolence messages can be sent to the family at www.martin-hightower.com. Martin & Hightower Heritage Chapel is in charge of the arrangements.