Committal
Betty Lynette Bowles Pennington, age 80, went to sleep in Jesus Thursday, January 29, 2026. She was born January 31, 1945, in Phenix City, Alabama to the late Robert J Bowles and Gussie Mae Yawn Bowles.
Besides her parents, she was preceded in death by one sister, Willene Hetrick and one nephew.
She is survived by her husband, best friend, and work companion of 60 years, Elmer Stanley Pennington; two daughters, Lynette Downing (Charles) and Martha Schultz (Richard); seven grandchildren, Matthew Kolkmann (Heidi), Emily Kolkmann (Brandon Harrington), Douglas Downing (Casey), Jonathan Kolkmann (Elizabeth), James Downing (Kayla Bentley), Andrew Kolkmann (Brittany), Adian Schultz; seven great-grandchildren, Evelyn, Anna and Amelia Downing, Oliver and Everett Harrington, Anthony and Baby Girl (June 2026) Kolkmann; three brothers, Ken Bowles (Paulette), Phil Bowles (Jeanette), Larry Bowles (Julie); sister, Anna Marie Flemming (Ted); eight nieces and nephews; one aunt Susie Cravey; and many cousins.
She had been battling cancer for 3 years with the last two weeks being the worst part. She went to high school at Pine Forest Academy in Mississippi and then Southern University in Collegedale, Tennessee where she met and married the love of her life. They married on August 22, 1965.
She was a home economics teacher at Little Creek Academy in Knoxville, TN (now Heritage Academy in Crossville, TN) for three years. She worked for Zerdan’s of Hickory in alterations and was self-employed in the lawn business for 35 years where she worked with Stanley.
She enjoyed cooking, baking, sewing, crafting, painting, gardening, canning, flowers, and just about anything that could make beauty.
She was a lifelong member of the Seventh-Day Adventist Church and a member of the Lenoir Seventh-Day Adventist Church for 50 years. She enjoyed working with the church youth in Sabbath School, Vacation Bible School, Adventure Club, and Pathfinder Club.
Besides working outdoors, she loved camping and canoeing. She worked with local food pantries and with Adventist Disaster in Statesville for the hurricane victims.
A Celebration of Life Service will be held Saturday, February 28, 2026, at the Lenoir Seventh-Day Adventist Church at 4:00 p.m. The family will receive family and friends one hour prior.
In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to Lenoir Seventh-Day Adventist Church, 518 Pennell St., Lenoir NC 28645, C/O Betty’s Fund.
Sossoman Funeral Home and Crematory Center is assisting the family with the arrangements.
Tribute Wall
Leave a tribute for Betty Lynette Bowles Pennington.
Stanley is Dan's uncle but he's much more like a brother to him. We spent a lot of good times with Stan and Betty canoeing, birding, identifying wildflowers and just observing and learning about all aspects of God's wonderful creation. We will certainly miss Betty but it's comforting to know that her next conscious thought will be to hear Jesus calling her to wake up when He comes to take us all home to Heaven. 1 Thessalonians 4:16,17 says "For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord." That trip to Heaven will be an exiting time and we will all share it together and with our son Eric and other family members that are sleeping, waiting for Jesus to come. Love and prayers to all the family, Dan, Anita and Tina Huffman
Betty was an awesome lady and wonderful friend who would help anyone at a moments notice. We will surely miss her, but will see her again when Jesus returns to call us home. I will miss her potato soup she always made for us.
Mrs Betty Will be in our good memories. Praying for her husband Stanley and the all family. Our deepest condolences .
What a delightful woman and a privilege to be acquainted with her on this earth! This world was made better because she was here! Rest in peace and see you again on that Day! Deepest condolences to the family. Much love to you all! Jodi & Graham
We have been neighbors with Stanley and Betty for 40 years and you couldn’t ask for two better people for neighbors. If you ever needed anything or any help all you had to do is ask. Even if you didn’t ask they would always volunteer. I have never witnessed another couple that loved each other as much as those two. She would make bread and give it to us and offer things out of her flower garden. They were always helping someone on the circle. I know she is no longer in pain but we will sure miss seeing her . I know she is Walking the streets of gold now. We will continue to pray for Stanley because I know he has lost his best friend. Praying for peace and comfort for the family in the days, weeks and months ahead. We are only a phone call away if there is anything we can ever do.
So many wonderful memories. Years of spending time together with Betty and Stan doing things that we all loved to do. She leaves a big hole that is only temporary. The pain is real but she is at rest and we have the hope of a reunion
Dearest Martha & the entire Pennington family, please accept my condolences. Praying for all of you during this time. Jesus is coming soon ❤️🙏❤️
It’s been an honor to know Betty. From coming to her house, eating lunch, and walking around the yard to setting up and running the Pioneer Village. You will be missed, but the wait is not long. Jesus is coming soon and we will all be reunited with glorified immortal bodies at the last trump. We will be forever with our Saviour where death will be no more. Praying for Stan to have the strength and will power to keep fighting the good fight.