Martha Grace Neal Pennington's Obituary
PENNINGTON, MARTHA GRACE NEAL Born on October 22, 1921 in Rains County, Texas and received into Heaven on August 9, 2014 In Celina, Texas at the age of 92. Martha Grace was the oldest of eleven children born to Archie Alvic and Essie Mae Neal. She grew up on a farm in Rains County, near the town of Lone Oak, Texas. Preceded in death by: her father and mother, Archie Alvic and Essie Mae Neal, two brothers, Joe and Troy Neal and one sister, Christine Parks and other extended family members. Martha Grace is survived by her two sons and their families: James E. and wife, Marlene Pennington, of Schertz, TX Jennifer and husband, Chuck Arnold Children: Joseph and Emma Grace Mark Toft Child: Pepper Karl Toft Tony D. and wife, Melony Pennington, of Carrollton, TX Penny and husband, Dustin Howard Children: Lily, Harper and Baby Boy Howard (Due Sep) Ryan Ashley Rackley Children Kennedy and Knox “K J “White Fallon Briana Pennington Five Sisters: Leta Dixon of Crowley, TX; Reta Jones of Sunray, TX; Florice Morris of Scurry, TX; Patsy Greene of Coupland, TX; Genita Dalby of DeKalb, TX Two Brothers: Smith Neal of Sonora, TX; and Don Neal of Crowley, TX Along with numerous extended family members. Martha Grace Pennington married Coy E. (Pete) Pennington of Greenville, Texas in June 5, 1942. Pete served in the United States Navy for 20 years. During this time the USA was involved in two wars, WWII and the Korean War. Martha’s two sons were born while Pete served, James in Texas and then Tony in California. Pete and Martha Grace lived all over the United States and in Hawaii, before settling back in Dallas, Texas in 1957. While in Hawaii, Martha learned to hula dance and enjoyed giving tours of the Pearl Harbor Memorial. Martha Grace retired from her fulltime job at Hugh M Cunningham of Dallas as a Bookkeeper at age 65, after more than 20 years of service. In 1994, Martha Grace retired from her second job at Sears, where she worked for over 30 years at stores within the Dallas area. She told lots of stories about her working days, especially about Mr. Cunningham, and anyone that knew her could repeat a lot of those stories by heart. They always started out with her saying, “I’ll never forget the time…” and a little giggle. Upon retirement in 1994, Martha moved from Dallas to the retirement community of St Frances Village in Crowley, Texas. Martha Grace lived there until January 2012. Her time at “The Village” as she called it was a special time in her life and she made many friends and participated in a lot of their activities, including their country line dancing group. Martha was a active member of the Protestant Fellowship of St. Francis Village Church during the 18 years she lived in the Village. She spent a short time at Corinthians Retirement Community Assisted Living in Carrollton, TX after leaving The Village. For more than a year, Martha lived and was loved and cared for by the Staff at Settlers Ridge Care Center in Celina, Texas. Settlers Ridge Care Center’s Staff is doing the work of Angels. Martha Grace and her family are so thankful for their tireless service during this time in Martha’s life. May God continue to bless St Francis Village, Corinthians and Settler Ridge Care Center as their devoted staffs continue to minister to their residents. Martha Grace loved and cherished all of her family and friends. Growing up on a farm in a three room house as the oldest of eleven children with loving, Godly, hardworking parents molded this Godly Woman. She always remembered her Texas roots. Martha Grace will be dearly missed. Visitation: Friday, August 15, 2014 from 6:00 – 8:00 pm at Restland Funeral Home and Cemetery. Service: Saturday, August 16, 2014 at 11:00 am in Restland Memorial Chapel In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to: Hope4 Harper 501c3 Non Profit EIN 45-4886455 P.O. Box 116952 Carrollton, Texas 75011 Neal Family Reunion Home Place c/o Smith Neal 304 East College St. Sonora, Texas 76950
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