She was such a Creative person.  I'm blessed I got to know her!!!

Christina was one of the most loving, kindest, creative people I’ve ever met. Her humor and authenticity were unmatched. Christina and I met in elementary school and while we  did attend Highschool  together some of my favorite memories with Christina came from our Little Flower days.  I was going through some of my old photos and yearbooks reading some of the inside jokes between all of us and one of the jokes was “ I love the way you watch tv.”  In 7th grade Christina had a girls sleep over and it was probably around Midnight when someone suggested we watch The Exorcist but we had to be really quiet about it in case Rosemary woke up. I remember watching and all of a sudden Christina was staring at me laughing and saying that I look like I’m sleeping with my eyes open when I watch tv. The rest of the night no one slept cause we were all scared and Christina kept either trying to scare everyone more or make us laugh. It’s taken me days to wrap my head around her passing and although we lost touch it really feels like yesterday we were in Little Flower making silly jokes and laughing until our stomachs hurt.

(Part 2) She had a gift with art and expression. She still had so much to do and create. I can’t believe she’s gone. I don’t think I’ve fully accepted it. How rare, how extraordinary she was. I am beyond blessed to have known her. She was so loving, she accepted me, all of me. That’s who she was. That type of love never dies. Her art & her love lives on in everyone who knew her. The light she brought into this World is powerful & will never go away. All I know to do is to carry that on for her. To love, to be authentic, to express that freely & unapologetically. It’s storming here today, I think I might go step into rain, something she might do for the art of it…to feel it all. She felt so much. As highly sensitive people, it was always difficult for us. The main difference is she was bold and brave with expressing herself.
I love you Christina, you will always be my best friend. 

(Part 1) Christina was my best friend in high school. She was the best friend I have ever had. She made me feel like it’s okay to be me in this World. She was so authentically herself and ahead of her time. A visionary and a trend setter. She found magic &  beauty in unusual, unexpected places. She taught me to see with new eyes.. I know she always struggled, as sensitive souls often do. The biggest hearts often hold the most weight. I moved across the country after high school, and we lost touch over the years. Ive never been as close to a friend as I was with Christina. She was a special person, I knew from the moment I saw her. I remember thinking WOW, I want to be her friend! And I’m so grateful I was able to experience her light. She was a light, almost otherworldly. She created the most fascinating abstract art work. She must have shocked that small town in South Carolina, to say she stood out, is an understatement. And she was so unapologetically herself, a revolutionary whimsical soul, a gem that I was lucky to find. I feel she was sent to me, knowing her free spirit was a portal that enabled me to embrace my own. What I saw in her, she recognized in me as well. She taught me to let go, to break free from the norms. We would go on photography adventures, we danced in the forest, discovered old abandoned places, created art, and dressed up in an array of vivid outfits. It was liberating. We didn’t care what anyone thought of it, we had each other, and it was the most fun I’ve ever had with a friend. She changed me, she really did. Growing up in the South, I felt out of place. I was an odd girl out myself, but I wasn’t as free as her, she taught me how to be. I had never met someone like her, and I don’t expect to ever met anyone like her again. When I moved to California I met many unique souls, but none like Christina. Not even close. She was on another level. 

Rosemary, my heart is full of love and sadness for your loss.  I had the pleasure of meeting Christina a couple of times when she was in Hendersonville.  I totally agree with Brittany in her love and respect of Christina’s independent, stylish flare !   I only wish I had or have that level of confidence in myself. I so appreciated her take me for who I am persona !  Such a creative soul!!
I know of her struggles and  certainly of your love for her never wavering !!  I feel very strongly that Christina’s heart is worried about you and wants you to only remember all that is her love for you Rosemary !   
You will be in my prayers along with the rest of the family.  Much love ❤️ 🙏🏻 Royall 

How sad to know that Christina is no longer with us physically, but she will always be in our memories and our hearts. I met her just like her mother about 9 years ago, a very sweet, generous, active, spontaneous girl, expressive in her art, with many dreams and goals to achieve... that's what she told me. I am a Christian and I believe what the bible says, and it says that the dead in Christ will rise, there is that promise, so Christina we will see you again. Rest in peace. 🌹❤️

It is with great sadness that I write this. Christina was a very special friend to me. She was not like the others in many ways. She was a creative and sensitive soul who was caring, supportive, and giving. We shared a lot of great moments and she always appreciated the little things. She was a very pure soul and the world was lucky to have her. 

However, for as long as I knew her, she was a troubled being deep down. I understood her pain and therefore tried to be there for her when things would go downhill. She didn’t have many friends in the latter part of her life and even though she was very strong, she needed someone to protect her and take care of her because the world was often too much for her. 

She dealt with many trials and tribulations and I don’t think she had the strength to carry on any longer. I feel like everything happens for a reason, and there are some people who only come into our lives for a certain period of time. She taught me many things about life and about myself and I wouldn’t be who I am without her.

I wish I could be there in person but I’m there in spirit, and I want to remind us all to be kind to one another because sometimes that’s all that we have and we never know what others are going through. Life is a fragile thing and sometimes we don’t realize its value until it’s gone.  I can only hope that Christina has found peace. I will never forget her and I’ll do what I can to make sure that she is remembered for the very special being that she was. 

We are sending heartfelt sympathy to you Aunt Rosemary. I can’t even begin to imagine the pain you have and are enduring each passing day. Continued prayers for you and prayers for strength as you navigate these  very difficult  days to come. 
.
. I remember the first time I met Christina. I was feeling so anxious as this was my first time meeting  Brent (my husband’s) extended family. We were gathering for a lunch date because we were passing through Hollywood, Florida and we wanted to see the Penland family.  We had a very long drive and we were so tired. I remember feeling especially anxious because we had been on the road many hours. When we arrived Christina was the first one to greet me. She greeted me with a huge smile and grabbed me up in a huge hug. She was wearing platform shoes and high waisted,  bell bottom jeans and I remember thinking “wow this beautiful girl has style”.. 
Suddenly all that stress and worry was gone: that anxiousness was gone.  It was the sweetest, most genuine embrace I think I’ve ever felt. I will never forget her welcoming me in so wholeheartedly. She said “come sit by me” for lunch and as I sat, I felt comfortable and thankful, thankful  for her genuine  kindness. What a gift she had to share so much love with me (a stranger at the time).  What a gift to be able to make someone feel so welcomed. Also, I will never forget her glowing skin and glowing spirit. .
May you shine bright up in heaven baby girl. May your soul rest easy now. You will forever be missed. 

Christina was one of my closest friends at Chaminade. She was a beautiful, sweet, eccentric, artistic, sassy, intelligent whimsical soul with a pure heart. She was art, love, and chaos. We unfortunately lost touch when we moved states for college. But she touched my life forever. She always carried an energy that felt extraterrestrial, as if she belonged to a planet that is beyond earth. A true artist and legend. She did not have a hateful bone in her body. She was all love. I will miss her terribly. I would appreciate it if someone could message me privately with any details they are willing to spare. I have a sick feeling in my stomach because I know she endured some intense mental health battles . As did I. We had that in common. We just wanted to turn our pain into art. I looked up to her and wanted to be just like her. I hope she finally found the peace she spent a lifetime searching for. My email is Christine.Barker1234@gmail.com - if anyone is willing to contact me to provide context to this immense tragedy, I would greatly appreciate that. My heart goes out to the Penland family and especially Ms Rosemary - I can’t imagine how it feels to be struck by this level of grief twice in such a short duration. Praying God sends peace and healing your way.

I am so sorry to hear this news.  Rosemary you are an amazing mother! Stay strong through these hard times, their is a light at the end of this long tunnel for you. You are loved and so many love Tina! I wanted to share one of my favorite childhood memories I had her. We were at that stage where we used to sing and dance to Brittney Spears and Christina Aguilera while dancing on the bed. We thought we were the coolest girls who sang the best. Well atleast Tina sang great, I was terrible. I remember Tina had this awesome barbie house that was close to the pool table you used to have. Me and Tina would play barbies and fight over the name Sarah. I don't know why. I remember we both loved that name but we both couldn't have it. Instead she told me she is taking Sarah and my barbies name can be patunia(had no idea it meant flower) . I don't know why but this story makes me laugh everytime I think about it. We had the best of times growing up and countless memories between jumping in the backyard pool and eating Genoa salami. It was the best and Tina will truly be missed. She is in a happy place now and I hope she is hanging out and relaxing in a beautiful bed of patunia's. Love you Rosemary I hope I was able to give you slight smile during this time. 

I love Christina like she was my own child. Our family has changed forever! I believe she died of a broken heart never being   able To get over her brothers untimely death. Rest in peace my beautiful Christina

My Dear Rosemary. I wish I had a picture to post of you holding butterflies at our Ben's Memorial service. Sunshine, shadows, light, laughter, tears. It was a good day... And you were there. To share.
And here we are again.  Another loss. Another broken life of hopes and dreams. I don't know what to make of such loss.  Job in the Bible decided God grabbed him by the neck and shook him to pieces. You probably feel like you're in pieces. Shattered. I'm sorry. That's all I can think to say. I'm sorry. I love your poor heart and am thinking of you night and day.
Nancy Mott

OBITUARY

Christina Ann Penland

April 29, 1992 – July 4, 2022

Robert Toale & Sons Celebration of Life Center

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