Penny Sondra Martin Housman '56
Posted: 11/5/2021
Penny Sondra Martin Housman '56 went to be with her Lord November 5, 2021. There she joined family including her beloved husband of 58 years, Fred Hunter Housman and their beloved son Fredrick Hunter Housman. Penny lived a life of love, kindness and great faith. A service celebrating a life well lived will be held Saturday the 13th at 11 am in Waynesboro, Va. The location will be graveside at Augusta Memorial Park.
Penny was born in Danville, Virginia in 1938 to William Hosea Martin and Iris Louise Martin. The family moved to Hilton where she was raised. Her father owned W.H. Martin, Co. and Fred became an employee there when she was very young. They fell in love. While waiting to marry, Penny attended and graduated from St. Margaret’s School in Tappahannock, Va. Shortly upon graduation, she and Fred married. After Fred’s completion of his Air Force service, they settled in Newport News, VA living there for decades with their children Michelle (Shelley) and Hunter with frequent visits to Mike. Their lives were blessed with many ups and downs that provided opportunities to grow together. In the early 1970’s Penny returned to school attending Christopher Newport College and Hampton Institute in her attempt to gain a degree. She graduated from The College of William and Mary 2nd in her class with a degree in Education having done the 4-year program in 3 years. She taught a few years in Grafton and in Williamsburg at Matthew Whaley before becoming a civil servant with the Navy. Retiring from the Navy, she chose to continue working for a short time as a greeter at Walmart. Having been active in many organizations through her life including Home Demonstration, Garden Club, Alumni Associations, Mensa, Phi Beta Kappa, The Red Hat Society, etc. She gathered friendships like flowers. In recent years, she had been an attendee of Emmanuel Wesleyan in Salisbury (eChurch). In her life she found her greatest joy in her family, friends and most assuredly in her faith. She is survived by her sister in law, Shirley Fitzgerald; Daughter, Michelle Dana Housman-Harrison; stepson Michael Glenn Housman; Grandaughters Heather Marie (Kevin), Lindsay (Noah), Lauren; Grandsons Taylor, JB (Catherine) and Alex; Great granddaughter Lily along with her niece Bev Kidd and nephew John Fitzgerald and her former son-in-law GA Harrison. Many other beloved family members and friends created the extended family she loved.
Arrangements are in the care of Holloway Funeral Home, PA, 501 Snow Hill Road, Salisbury, MD 21804. Please visit www.hollowayfh.com to express condolences to the family.
