Grace Jannette (Whitlock) Pennington

Grace Withlock Pennington, age 86, died Friday, May 22, 2020 at Willow Ridge Nursing Center where she was a resident.  She was a former resident of Harmon Street, Forest City. 

Grace was born November 26, 1933 in Rutherford County and was a daughter of the late Lowrance and Eva Bradley Whitlock.  She was a graduate of Cool Springs High School and she received her nursing degree from the Rutherford Hospital School of Nursing in 1955.  Grace was a dedicated nurse having worked in hospitals throughout the country, eventually working for St. Jude’s Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee. 

Grace was a longtime member of Crestview Baptist Church where she participated in many church activities including the bible study groups and the Senior’s Group.  She also enjoyed being a part of the Rutherford Senior Center activities when her health allowed, and she had a passion for painting.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her son, Lonnie “Bo” Pennington, and brothers, Tom, Garland, Ted, Howard, and Max Whitlock.

Survivors include her daughters, Janis Horn and husband Tommy of Forest City, and Martha A. “Lisa” Pennington of Spindale, her brother, Vernon Whitlock of Massachusetts, and her sister, Evelyn Greene of Spindale.  There are also a number of nieces and nephews.

The funeral service will be conducted at 2 o’clock Monday, May 25, 2020 in the Crestview Baptist Church with Reverend Kevin Rohm officiating.  Interment will follow in the Rutherford County Memorial Cemetery.   Her body will lie in state at the church from 1:30 until the hour of service.  

Flowers will be accepted or memorials may be made to Crestview Baptist Church, 630 South Church Street, Forest City, North Carolina 28043.

The Padgett and King Mortuary & Crematory is in charge of arrangements and an online guest registry is available at www.padgettking.com

To send flowers to the family, please visit our floral store.