Obituaries

Allen Pennington

Photo of Allen Pennington
Beloved husband, father, grandfather and uncle, Allen Pennington, 78, passed away peacefully on Feb. 7, 2013. Allen was born on Jan. 5, 1935, in Japton, Ark., to Sherman Dale Pennington and Minnie Elizabeth (Drake) Pennington. He was preceded in death by his brothers, Olen and Afton Pennington; his sisters, Goldie Napier and Ruth Brooks; and his grandson, Caleb Pennington. As a child, Allen attended Duncan School, a one-room schoolhouse in Georgetown, Ark. As a very young teenager, he worked as a logger in the local log woods, an employee in a local canning factory and a laborer on various construction projects in Fayetteville. As a young man, he moved to Fullerton, Calif., to seek further opportunities. It was there that he met his bride and the delight of his life, Maudie Faye Martin, who had also been born and raised in Arkansas. On Feb. 8, 1958, Allen and Maudie married. In 1968, they and their two young sons moved back to Arkansas, settling in Springdale. Allen then worked for Harps Food Stores as a meat-cutter; a meat, deli and bakery department manager; and finally as director of store construction. After serving Harps for over 30 years, Allen retired and enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren and traveling with his wife. Allen was a devout Christian and served as a deacon for 40 years at the Faith Regular Baptist Church and the Buckner Baptist Church. He loved to teach from the Bible and taught adult Sunday school classes for many years. Allen's outgoing cheerfulness, compassion and humor touched all those around him. He was known as a great conversationalist and an excellent cook. His family fondly remembers him cooking countless holiday family dinners with both love and skill. Allen leaves behind a legacy of hard work, faith and fidelity to family. He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Maudie Faye (Martin) Pennington; son, Mike Pennington and his wife, Patricia, of Altus; son, Steve Pennington and his wife, Suzy, of Dover; grandchildren, Euticha Hawkins and her husband, Mark, of Gloucester, Va., Joe Pennington and his wife, Ana, of Fort Smith, Josh Pennington of Dover, Kati Pennington of Dover and Zach Pennington of Dover; one sister-in-law, Melba Pennington of Springdale; as well as many loving nieces and nephews. Visitation will be held Sunday, Feb. 10, 2-4 p.m. at the Memorial Funeral Home, 3926 Willowood Ave., Springdale. A celebration of his life will be held Monday, Feb. 11, at 1 p.m. at Buckner Baptist Church, 2780 E. Wyman Road, Fayetteville. Following the service, interment will be in Drakes Creek Cemetery in Madison County. Online condolences may be sent to www.memfuneral.com.

Published February 9, 2013

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