Brian Dwayne Penney

On September 2, 1976, a beautiful baby boy named Brian Dwayne Penney was born in Jacksonville, Florida. He was the son of Barbara Ann Penney and Robert McDaniel. Later Brian and his mother moved to Gurdon, Arkansas with Bruce Buford his step-father who raised him as his own. Nurtured in a Christian environment, Brian gave his life to Christ at a young age and attended St. Clair Baptist Church in Burtsell, Arkansas. A strong, vibrant man, Brian never backed down from a challenge. He lived life to the fullest and made every effort to use his God given talents in love and sacrifice for his wife, family, and friends. Brain was nick-named “B-Money” by his friends. Brian attended primary and secondary school in Gurdon, Arkansas and was a 1994 graduate of Gurdon High School. He was a stellar athlete who participated in the football program. After graduation he enlisted in the United States Army in which he received a medical honorable discharge. - How They Met - Brian and Crystal met at the age of 12 and 14 when they were introduced by Jo Brewer at a basketball game. Brian’s first words and being shy was “Hi! My name is Brian and you kinda favor one of my aunts.” ……..the chemistry went on from there. They both knew then that they were a match made in heaven. On May 1, 1999, Brian married the love of his life Ms. Crystal Gail Heard. They enjoyed 15 wonderful years together, with 10 years of marriage. Their marriage was blessed with Brianna LaCrystal, Brian Dewayne, Jr., and Braylon Devon. He attended Pulaski Technical College and successfully completed all the requirements for the American Management Association on August 11, 2009. He was an employee of Bumper to Bumper where he worked as a shipping supervisor. His coworkers will remember him as friendly, dependable and easy to work with. Brian was a member of Greater Second Baptist Church in Little Rock, Arkansas. His greatest joy was spending time with his wife, children and extended family members. During the 33rd season his life’s journey ended on Thursday, August 13, 2009, at Baptist Health Medical Center in Little Rock, Arkansas with his wife at his side. He was welcomed to his eternal home by his grandfather, Darell Penney, his great-grandfather, William Taft Dickens and his aunt, Louise Williams. His sense of humor, and smile will be forever cherished by his wife, Crystal Heard-Penney; his children, Brianna Penney, Brian Penney, Jr., and Braylan Penney all of Little Rock, Arkansas; his mother, Barbara Penney of Gurdon, AR; his father, Robert McDaniel; three sisters, Breana Buford, Bonisha Buford, and Brucilla Buford all of Gurdon, AR; his mother-in-law, Christine Heard of Little Rock, AR; his father-in-law, Percy Heard of Little Rock, AR; and a sister-in-law, Tisha Richardson of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. He also leaves his grandmother, Murthrue Penney of Arkadelphia, AR; six aunts, Lota (Florida) Penney, Darlene (Luther) Ramsey, Debra (Milton) Allen, Sharon (Andy) Bell, Sharron (Mark) Hearn, and Christi (Keith) Nelson; two uncles, David Lee Penney and Darnell Penney; six nieces, 1 nephew, cousins, other relatives, and numerous friends. Brian will lie in state at the funeral home on Friday, August 21, 2009, from 1:00 a.m. until 7:00 p.m. The family will greet friends and share with them the Images of Life DVD from 6-7 p.m. Funeral will be held Saturday, August 22, 2009, at 1:00 p.m. in Mt. Canaan Baptist Church where Rev. Johnny Harris is the pastor, and Rev. Rufus Hatley, eulogist. Burial will be in St. Clair Burtsell Cemetery in Burtsell, Arkansas. Bearers of the casket will be Quincy Dickens, Deotis Dickens, Jr., Deshawn Bell Wesley Buford, Jermaine Lawson and Amos Walker. Honorary bearers will be Tereze Williams, Keone Penney, Danny Hart, Gavon Hawthorn David Young, Myron Henry, Joe Brewer, Rolando Black, Raymond Welch, and Piercy Heard, Jr.