Rosemary Ponte

COOKEVILLE CHAPEL - Cookeville native and Tennessee Tech alumni Rosemary Pedigo Ponte, age 95, passed away peacefully at her home in Cookeville on Friday August 14, 2026.

Rosemary was well known in Cookeville as a patron of the arts, and for her love of gardening and quilting. As a quilter, Rosemary was renowned nationally and internationally for her wearable art, with her creations being featured in exhibits throughout the USA and in Europe. Locally, she was best known as a master gardener, with the exquisite gardens at her Cookeville home being a featured venue for annual Cookeville Rose Society tours for many years. She was also a longtime lover of musical arts, sponsoring multiple operatic and symphonic performances. A world traveler, Rosemary visited dozens of countries across the globe, adding to her collection of Asian, European and Latin American art pieces during her travels.

In addition to her parents, John Lee and Ethel Buckner Pedigo, she is preceded in death by her beloved husband Albert Ponte, brothers George Pedigo, Joe Pedigo, and by her sister Violet Sayre.

She is mourned by her daughter Marta Clark, son Brian Ponte, son in law David Clark, daughter in law Kim Ponte, by her grandchildren Elena Clark, Benedict Clark(Liz), Forrest Clark (Ashley), Saundra Deppa (Chris), Talya Ponte-Murphy (Jeff), Maya Ponte, Achilles Ponte, and by her great grandchildren. She is also survived by her long-time assistant, Patty Curci and her loving caregivers Angel Bowman and Joann Reed who made the last stages of her life a time of contentment, rest and peace, who join the family in mourning her passage.

Rosemary's family will receive friends Wednesday afternoon, August 19th from 3:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m. at the Cookeville chapel of Hooper, Huddleston & Horner Funeral Home.

Memorial contributions in lieu of flowers are suggested to be made to Bryan Symphony Orchestra, 123 W. Broad Street Suite 4, Cookeville, TN 38501 https://www.bryansymphony.org/ 

Hooper Huddleston & Horner Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. (931)526-6111. Share memories and condolences at www.hhhfunerals.com.