Obituary for Mary Pennington

Mary Ellen (Woodson) Pennington of Blackwell, Oklahoma, died on Friday, September 26, 2014, at her residence in Blackwell at the age of 79 years.

Mary Ellen (Woodson) Pennington was born on January 26, 1935, to Wyatt A. “Jack” and Rosalie Mae (Freeman) Woodson in Fresno, California. Her family lived in Colorado and Missouri before returning to California.

She met her future husband Aubrey Keith Pennington when her brother Billy Jack Woodson brought him home on a weekend leave from the Navy. Keith and Mary were united in marriage on December 23, 1951, in Yuma, Arizona, and were married for over 63 years. Together they resided in Virginia, California, Kansas and New Mexico, finally retiring 21 years ago to Blackwell, Oklahoma.

During her lifetime, she volunteered in various things. She always helped with Cub Scouts, Girl Scouts, and Elementary Aids, and for many years she also volunteered as a Pink Lady in Barstow and Grand Terrace California, and Wellington, Kansas. Mary and Keith worked at the Blackwell Museum for over 15 years, where they both received a lifetime membership for their volunteer work.

Mary loved spending time reading books on a variety of subjects. She spent many, many years knitting, crocheting and doing crewel embroidery. Mary and Keith spent many years taking vacations with their children, family and friends. Mary was particularly fond of Sunday car rides, she loved to see new things.

Later in life she would glow with pride and joy when she either talked about or was spending time with her grandchildren and great grandchildren. She loved each and every one of them and loved to brag on their activities and achievements.

Mary took great joy preparing big feasts for the family holidays and get-togethers and loved decorating the house at Christmas with her many decorations.

When friends, family members or neighbors were ill or had other problems, she would call daily to check on them. She had a wonderful caring nature and was always there for her family. She enjoyed playing board games, Yahtzee and card games with her family throughout her life as well as her annual shopping trips with her daughter and granddaughters. Mary has left her family with many wonderful memories through the years and her loved ones will dearly miss her!

Mary is survived by her husband, Aubrey Keith Pennington of Blackwell; her son, Donald Pennington and wife Saundra of San Diego California; her daughter, Susan Bannister of Grenola, Kansas; her sisters, Jeane Blair and husband Fil of Dallas, Texas, and Helen Prignano and husband Joe of Redondo Beach, California; grandchildren, Dan, Derek, Jessica, Josh, Jeffrey, Tyler, Shelby, and Kylie and her great grandchildren, Gabriel, Boston and Tuff along with numerous other extended family.

She was preceded in death by her parents; a brother, Billy Jack Woodson; and a nephew, Mark Woodson.

Honorary casketbearers will be Josh Norris, Don Pennington, Derek Norris, Noah Blair, Tyler Bannister, Jeffrey Pennington, and Fil Blair.

Services are scheduled for 10:30 a.m., Tuesday, September 30th in the Greenlawn Abby Mausoleum at the Blackwell Cemetery with Chaplain Mike Sweetman of Hospice of North Central Oklahoma officiating. Entombment will follow in the Greenlawn Abby Mausoleum.

A memorial has been established in her memory with the Hospice of North Central Oklahoma c/o Roberts and Son Funeral Home, 120 W. Padon, Blackwell, Oklahoma 74631.