Murthrue Lee Dickens Penny

Murthrue Lee Dickens Penny was born into time on September 10, 1934 in the Beech Creek Community outside of Gurdon, Arkansas. She was the fourth child born to the union of William Taft and Lou Emma Jones Dickens. Murthrue gave her life to Christ at a young age and was a member of Providence A.M.E Church in Kansas, Arkansas. As she continued in her Christian growth she became a member of Springhill Baptist Church in Whelen Springs, AR, Baring Cross Church of God In Christ in Smithton, AR, New Bethel in Gurdon, AR, and lastly she later joined Kingdom Authority Christian Ministries. Murthrue was a 1952 graduate of Gurdon High School. She later married the handsome Davell Penny on October 11, 1952 and to this union 10 children were born. They were married for 41 years until his passing on May 23, 1991. “Murt” as she was lovingly called was a part of that generation that counted motherhood as a virtue because mothers knew the difference between a house and home. So her golden accomplishment in life was to make a loving home that would produce a tapestry of memories her family would forever cherish. Murt was smart and ingenious. She was an impeccable housekeeper and mastered babysitting having been the mother of 10 children. In raising her children cooking came natural and soul food cooking was her specialty. Her smile and love will be missed, but never forgotten. Our Heavenly Father saw fit to call her from labor to reward on Saturday, August 30, 2014 with her family at her side. Her passing reminds us that life is uncertain, but death is sure. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, a daughter, Linda Louise Williams (2005), a granddaughter Carlisha Williams (2006), a grandson Brian Penny (2009), a sister Eula Mae Robinson and a brother Hazaniel Dickens (2012). Although her body is no longer present her memory will live forever in the hearts of her children: daughters, Lotta J. Penny of Jacksonville, FL, Barbara Penny of Gurdon, AR, Darlene (Luther) Ramsey of Hattiesburg, MS, Debra (Milton) Allen, Sharon (Andy) Bell, Sharron (Mark) Hearn, and Christi (Keith) Nelson all of Arkadelphia, AR; sons, David Penny of Arkadelphia, AR and Danell Penny of Gurdon, AR, sisters, Pearl Anna Jenkins of Detroit, MI, Delores Dumes of Beaumont, TX, PreElla (Earnest) Romar of Beaumont, TX and Emma (Nehemiah) Hardeman of Gurdon, AR; her “babies”, Crysten “PeeWee” Clayborn, Crystal “Binky” Clayborn, caregiver Sharonda “TuTu” Bell and Gregory “Lil Greg” Clayborn all of Arkadelphia; 22 grandchildren, 41 great-grandchildren and a host of nieces, nephews other relatives and friends. Public visitation will be held Friday, September 5, 2014 from 12:00 noon until 7:00 p.m. The family will receive friends from 6-7 pm. A celebration of her life will be held on Saturday, September 6, 2014 at 11:00 a.m. at Kingdom Authority Christian Ministries where Rev. Quintin Radford is the pastor. The committal service and final resting place will be in Kansas Cemetery.