Candace Penelope Nehring passed away in her home surrounded by loved ones on Sunday evening, December 18, 2022. Penny was born on November 24, 1944, in Honolulu, Hawaii to Clair Sanford Granger and Mildred Nagayama Granger. She is survived by her three children, Melanie White (A.T.) of Fort Worth, TX, Brad Nehring (Nicole) of Houston, TX, and Amber Willet of Houston, TX; nine grandchildren who love her dearly as their precious Gan Gan, Karsyn (Blake), Evan (Kristen), Colton, Ryan, Kaylin, Avery, Nolan, Alexa and Shawn; her sisters Sandra Holland (Jim), and Helen Crosland (Pat); her brothers Phil Pavey (Joan), Billy Carter (Yon), Jimmy Carter (Jolene) along with many nieces, and nephews. Penny is preceded in death by her husband, Theodore Roosevelt Nehring, Jr., her parents, Clair Granger, Mildred Carter, and step-father William Thurston Carter.
Penny was born in Honolulu, Hawaii where she spent the first 12 years of her childhood. She often shared many great memories of her life in Honolulu including big family gatherings and the joy of beach living. One of her famous “Gan Gan” stories was of her and several classmates, who were asked to teach the steps of a hula dance on a local television broadcast. She loved to have fun with her children and grandchildren in trying to teach them how to hula as well. She loved Hawaii and would go back to visit as often as she was able. Her family moved to Kansas when she was 12 and it was there that she accepted Jesus as her Lord and Savior. She often told her family how grateful she was for the invitation she received to visit a local church for it was a decision that changed the direction of her heart and life forever as she began her relationship with Christ. Several years later her family was stationed in Baumholder, Germany where she met her husband of 60 years, Ted, who was also stationed there with the Army. One of their favorite stories was the first time they met at the local church, Ted flirted with Penny asking her if she had saved a seat for him that day at church. And as the saying goes… “the rest was history.” They were married in Baumholder and returned to Ted’s hometown of Waco, TX in 1962.
Penny dedicated her life to the Lord, Ted, her family, and her church. She gave of herself selflessly as a mother and caregiver and loved spending time with all of her family. Her family loved her famous fried chicken dinners and their traditional Asian Christmas dinners. And if you knew her, you knew she took much pride in a beautiful home. She was often teased that she would likely have a vacuum in her hand when she went to be with Jesus. The family cherishes the many great memories of family vacations and get-togethers especially those taken at the beach. Penny loved being with friends and being involved in the church as an active Sunday school leader and member. She and Ted were active members at Riverside Baptist Church and North Richland Hills Baptist Church where they served in many capacities together working with the choir, youth, young adults, singles, newly married couples, and discipleship classes. Penny was well-known for her sweet, sincere smile and easy way of making others feel genuinely welcomed and loved. She and Ted opened their home often to their friends and Sunday school groups for fellowships and game nights including their favorite fellowship - volleyball games in the backyard. (“So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. I Corinthians 10:31)
Penny will be greatly missed by her family and friends. Her grandchildren knew her as Gan Gan and they loved her fun-loving personality, her “GanGan’isms” but mostly her Godly wisdom which she loved to share. She knew how to love well and have lots of silly fun. While we do not fully understand this sudden loss, we know that without a doubt, she is with her Lord and Savior as well as with Ted. Five weeks apart in death, both are celebrating eternity together with Jesus. Pops and Gan, together again.
A celebration of Penny’s life will be held in the Chapel of Houston’s First Baptist Church in Houston, Texas on Wednesday, December 28, 2022, at 10:30 am. There will be a viewing prior to the service at 10:00 am. The service will be live-streamed through Facebook. The link will be posted on the day of the service. Pall Bearers are her grandsons Evan Nehring, Colton Willet, Ryan Nehring, Avery White, Nolan Nehring, Shawn Nehring, and Blake Alderink. Houston’s First Baptist Church is located at 7401 Katy Fwy, Houston, TX 77024.
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