Mary Ruth Pennington

Mary Ruth Pennington, 97, went to be with the Lord on May 11, 2024,in her home surrounded by her loving family.

Funeral services will be held 1:00 PM, Wednesday, May 15, 2024 at Wynnton Methodist Church, 2412 Wynnton Road, Columbus, Georgia, with Reverend Doctor Jason Wade officiating. The family will receive friends 11:00 AM-12:30 PM Wednesday, May 15, 2024 at the church. A private interment for the family will be held at Parkhill Cemetery, according to McMullen Funeral Home and Crematory, 3874 Gentian Blvd. Columbus, GA 31907.

Mrs. Pennington was born October 12, 1926, in Tifton, Georgia, to the late Arthur Jimerson and Minnie Ellen Sumner Hand.She grew up in Tifton, Georgia, where she graduated from Tift County High School. She then married the love of her life, the late Huey Brown Pennington. She was a dedicated wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and friend who gave of herself sacrificially. Ruth enjoyed cooking, baking, sewing, Braves baseball, and her daily Bible devotional reading. It did not matter who showed up for lunch or dinner; she always had enough food for family and friends. Her greatest joy was being “Granny” to not only her grandchildren but also to their friends. Her ministry to those who knew her was to show God’s love, even until age 97, with daily prayers for her meals, family, and caregivers.

Ruth was an active member of Wynnton Methodist Church for many years and a Goodwill Sunday School Class member. She built lifelong friendships, which continued during her homebound years through their visits, cards, flowers, and prayers.

Other than her parents, she is preceded in death by her beloved husband of 58 years, Huey Brown Pennington Sr., brother,James Talmadge Hand, sister-in-law, Otera Hand, sister, Jimmie Jones, brother-in-law, Bill Jones, and grand-daughter Kymber Orr.

She is survived by her five children: sons Huey B. “Penny” Pennington (Blair), James Pennington (Terra), daughters Diane Orr (Gary), Cecilia Pierce (David) and Amelia Toelle (Rick).She was Granny to her thirteen grandchildren Christi Rubio (René), Lori Hawley (Russ), Jennifer Starzetski (Jevin), Matt Orr (Lici), John Pennington, Crystal Brown (Donald), Ben Toelle (Alix), Christopher Toelle (Elizabeth), David Toelle (Danielle), Jessica Pierce, Justin Pierce, Rachael Bennett (Samuel) and Caleb Pierce; twenty-three great-grandchildren, four great-great-grandchildren, and a host of nieces and nephews.

The family would like to thank her Goodwill Sunday School Class and many dedicated caregivers who provided special care to their “Mrs. Ruth” over the past years. A very special thanks to her Caregiver, Diane Weikert.  We also appreciate the care provided by the Columbus Hospice team for their professional care and loving concern.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to Wynnton Methodist Church, 2412 Wynnton Rd. Columbus, Georgia 31906.