Penny Rena Zinsenheim

A brave and beautiful woman has left us far too early. Penny Rena (Ragan) Zinsenheim passed quietly on the morning of June 29th, surrounded at home by family, and much love. She suffered from an extended illness which she handled with a beautiful grace, dignity, and strength. While life was not always kind to her, she returned nothing but kindness. And it is that love which we will miss the most. 

She was born at Kennestone Hospital in Marietta on January 22nd, 1963. She was the second child and daughter of William Leon Ragan of Henderson and Patricia Faith Davis of Perry. With her older sister Jackie, the young family would move into a new home on Dewberry Trail. Shortly thereafter the two sisters would be joined by a younger brother. Her father worked for Lockheed Aircraft Corporation and continued his engineering studies at Southern Tech during these early years. Her mother was a talented homemaker and worked various part time jobs to assist the family.

The family quickly established itself in the local community and were active members of Sardis Baptist Church. Her father was a deacon, and being the oldest in his family opened his home to siblings and cousins who would come north for an education. These were the early years of childhood with the typical challenges. At age 4 she would join her brother at age 3 and the two of them would have their tonsils removed together. They became inseparable playmates and there are many fond memories of their mother taking them to local parks in Marietta to laugh and play. She attended Roswell Street Baptist Church for kindergarten and would later have Mrs. Bulloch as her first-grade teacher at Sedalia Park Elementary School. 

The family pet was a golden cocker spaniel named Honey and Penny quickly developed a love for dogs that would last throughout her life. She would have Pud, a rotund dachshund, and then Lady, Lobo, and Henry. And they all loved her back. Late in life she would care for Chloe and Bailey. She was perhaps most attached to a basset hound named Hartwell who was quite a character. She extended this love to other animals such as calves, horses, and ponies. Anyone who treats animals with dignity and care is a kind soul.

This was the golden age of childhood with visits to Pat-A-Cake Bakery in East Cobb, Christmas shopping at Woolworths, and holiday parades. There were visits down to her grandparents in south Georgia where the farm offered unlimited opportunities for adventure and fun. Man had just landed on the Moon and despite social unrest there was a feeling of positive change in the air. Her father’s work at Lockheed allowed her to view aircraft such as the C-130. C-141 and C-5 be assembled and fly. And she 

would participate in the company’s annual employee children’s Easter Egg hunt.

Her mother wished to return closer to her parents and her father took a buyout from Lockheed and a new position with Bluebird. The family would move south of Perry, above Henderson in 1972. Her dad built a new home and Penny and her siblings started attending Westfield Schools in Perry. As expected, she quickly made new friends and her fourth-grade teacher was Mrs. Etheridge. Her new friends included Julie Batchelor, Lynn Marshall, and Cindy Thames. Cindy and her attended Henderson Baptist Church together. Being close to relatives allowed her to see her grandparents and cousins more often. And the rural life gave her ample freedom to go and explore the world around her. She was an athlete and did well in 7th and 8th grades on the tennis team, basketball team, and track team. She ran the 4 x 4 relay without dropping the baton.

Just after turning 15 a new addition came to the family. It was her younger sister Jamie whom she adored. The two spent many, many hours together as Jamie grew up and remained close until the very end. Penny would later attend Perry High School. She enjoyed all the usual social activities including Youth Night at the Perry United Methodist Church. At Perry she would earn a $500 scholarship for sewing a quilt in a Home Economics competition. Penny would graduate in June 1981 and attend Georgia Southern College. There, with new friends and old ones, she would graduate in 1986 with a Batchelor’s Degree in Business Administration. 

From Statesboro Penny would move in with her sister Jackie and brother Bill to north Atlanta. She would begin working for PNC Bank and would quickly be promoted to the Mortgage Department. She excelled in this and would be later named in 1993 to the President’s Club of PNC Bank. These were the fun years of young adulthood and Atlanta was an exciting place to be. In the fall of 1986, she would meet a young man named Stephen Zinsenheim at Club Rio in downtown Atlanta. They were initially attracted to each other as they were the only two conservatively dressed at the outrageous club. 

Steve, as he is known to us, took a serious interest in Penny. He was a recent engineering graduate of Georgia Tech and had just started with Delta. He was active, fun-loving, enjoyed water skiing and Six Flags. They became engaged in 1987 and would later marry in 1988. Steve was of the Jewish faith and Penny elected to convert to marry him. She fully embraced the older faith, and it embraced her back. She learned new traditions, and became more familiar with older ones. She was welcomed into this new community with warmth and love and did her best to return the feelings. 

The new married couple settled in Smyrna and began to make a new life for themselves. Steve too, loved dogs and they had a pair of white German shepherds at home. And after some time, they announced that they were having a baby. Their daughter Madison was born in May 1992 to some relieved parents and ecstatic grandparents, great grandparents and new aunts and uncles. She was the pride of the generation and a manifestation of love. Penny took to motherhood naturally and Madison thrived. It was during this time that she realized she had a different calling and hidden talents. 

Like her own mother, Penny decided to return to school and obtain a teaching certificate. This she accomplished in 1995 from Kennesaw College. She began teaching elementary school in 1996 and loved it. She would have her summers off to spend with family and she would continue to teach young minds throughout the year. This second career became inspiring and she sought further advancement. She would obtain a Master’s degree in Education from the University of West Georgia in 2002 and a Media Specialist in Education certificate from the same school in 2009. Penny had found her path and adored her students. She had all the qualities of a fine teacher: understanding, organization, and patience. 

Soon after Madison was born Penny would give birth to a son named Davis in November 1993. As with all mothers her two children would become the pride of her life. All her energy, efforts and love were given to them. She wanted to ensure that her children were raised well, were balanced, well taught and behaved, and had experiences she never had. And she succeeded beyond her wildest expectations. Madison and Davis were raised with strong Judaic teachings, were active socially and athletically, and academically accomplished. And, they were well traveled. These two beautiful souls were also raised to be kind, considerate, tolerant, and perhaps the most unselfish persons I have ever had the pleasure of knowing. Truly, children reflect their parents, and these two revealed the true character of their mother. I once asked her what she was most proud of. The answer came quickly, and without hesitation, ‘My children.’

Her daughter Madison would later attend Georgia Southern University just as her mother had done. However, she would transfer to the University of Georgia and graduate with an honors degree in marketing. Her son Davis wished to have a career in aviation and desired to become a commercial pilot. He too, attended Georgia Southern University. Davis was a fine young man and a beautiful soul. He passed in May 2016 while attempting to save the life of his friend in a hiking accident. He was unselfish, just as he had been taught by his mother. His actions were recognized by the Carnegie Foundation and he was named a ‘Carnegie Hero’ in December 2017. If you have raised a child willing to give his life for his fellow man, you have raised him as an expression of love, like no other. 

The early loss of Davis was devastating to the family, the relatives, and to all that knew him. It was especially heart rendering to his mother. I do not believe that she ever recovered from such a loss, not that you can. In the days, weeks and months that followed she expressed her devotion by visiting his grave daily. The depth of her despair was only exceeded by the height of her love for him. Truly only mothers can understand the loss of a child. No matter how pleased she would seem to be later, there was an underlying sadness that was always present. We all continue to share it, but especially Penny.

In 2021 Penny’s mother would return to Marietta and move in with her and Steve. This brought a new energy in the home and a new focus in life. Madison also became engaged during this time and gave Penny a future to plan. Lane, a fine man, became Penny’s son in law in August 2022. It was a beautiful time and a lovely wedding enjoyed by all. Penny was absolutely radiant at the wedding and the surrounding festivities. Lane has become a much-loved member of the family and has brought a calm, peaceful presence among us. 

Penny was always an amazing host, and all were welcomed in her home. Her Thanksgiving feasts were legendary, as were her Georgia Tech tailgating parties, and she made everyone feel important. She did not neglect anyone. And she had a great sense of humor. She had her health challenges in recent years. After her father passed in November 2021, her mother would follow in March 2023. Years before she had suffered a mild stroke which left her with some memory issues. In April 2024 she was diagnosed with stage IV liver cancer.

Penny handled this news with her usual grace, dignity, and bravery. She was not angry and did not seek retribution. Penny was an inspiring pillar of strength to us all. She tolerated the treatments without complaint and when told there was nothing more to do, she accepted it. She knew she would be seeing her son soon, and her mother, her father, and grandparents. To the last of my days, I will know that I have seen true bravery. She has taught us much over many years, but it is her profound love and unselfishness that we will remember for eternity. 

Penny was preceded in death by her grandparents; her parents, her son Davis Zinsenheim, and her brother-in-law Wayne Landon; she is survived by her husband Steve Zinsenheim of Marietta; her daughter Madison (Lane) Darwin of Denver; sister Jackie (Maury) White of Lawrenceville, niece Samantha of Chicago, nephew Hank of New York; brother Bill (Anjum) Ragan of Boston; stepfather James Boyd, sister Jamie Boyd, niece Ella, nephew James, and niece Pearl, all of Alpine, Texas; sister-in-law Shari, niece Mallory of Seattle, nephew Michael of Jacksonville and other extended family in Georgia.