Joyce Pennington

She was born on November 27, 1926, in Eva, Alabama, a daughter of Louis Monroe and Mamie (Smith) Chaffin.

She was a dedicated Christian woman who served the Lord in many ways. Her crowning achievement was rearing and teaching her six godly children, who truly “rise up and call her blessed” (from Proverbs 31: 28).

Joyce died as she lived, in prayer and praise to God, and loving her family. She will be remembered as a dedicated servant to the Lord, wife, and mother. She enjoyed sharing stories about her family, teaching Bible classes, and following Jesus Christ.

Growing up in a rural area of Alabama, she worked alongside her family in gardening, picking cotton, sewing, harvesting, and cooking. She always took time to visit with friends and family and used her time to benefit those around her. She loved to crochet and to make quilts for family members. She became a teacher after only a year of college to help support our country during WWII. She also worked in a school cafeteria, in addition to creating a supportive home environment in which family and friends were always welcomed, comfortable, and fed. Along with many other skills, Joyce was an extraordinary cook, turning catfish, fried chicken, and cherry pie into unique culinary experiences; not to mention homemade sugar cookies every Christmas, in which she took time to send to many of her grandchildren.

Joyce dedicated her life to God and her family, watching for an opportunity to serve or support. She had a highly developed sense of humor and, in the middle of a discussion, would give voice to a one-liner that showed those nearby that she had evaluated the situation and found its essence. Her family and friends benefitted greatly by having her in their lives.

She is survived and honored by her children and their spouses, G.K. and Jo Pennington of Vienna West Virginia, Beverly Johnson of Pasadena, Texas, Andra and Ken Watson of Abilene, Texas, Dale and Mike Rushing of Conroe, Texas, and Cheryl and Fidel Gutierrez of Longview, Texas; 10 grandchildren plus spouses and 19 great-grandchildren. She is survived, also, by her sister, Clo Mooneyham, three brothers, Sherrill, Spencer, and Larry Chaffin, and many nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband Glenn Kirkpatrick Pennington, daughter Elizabeth, and brothers, William David Chaffin and Kenneth Chaffin.

A celebration of Joyce’s life will be held on Thursday, September the first of 2016 at 11:00 A.M., at Brookside-Dignity Funeral Home in Houston, Texas.

You are welcome to donate to the G. K. and Jo Pennington Bible Scholarship at Ohio Valley University 1 Campus View Drive Vienna, WV 26105-8000 in lieu of flowers.