Lota Jean Penney

Lota Jean, “Lottie” as she was known by her family and friends was born December 11, 1954, in Gurdon, Arkansas. She was the second of ten children born to her loving parents, Davell and Murthrue Lee (Dickens) Penney. She was a graduate of Gurdon High School, Class of 1972. Soon after graduating, Lottie left for California and soon after, moved to Jacksonville, Florida where she made it her home for over 40 years. There she raised her three children, Danita, Picola, and Willie, Jr. She was a faithful First Timothy Baptist Church member. Later, she moved her membership to Second Bethel Baptist Church in Jacksonville, Florida where she served on the usher board and kept records of the finances of the Sunday School until her health failed her.

Due to her declining health and other unfortunate circumstances, she decided to come home to be close to her family. Lottie loved spending time with her family and was always ready to go. She was a true character in her unique way. She would always make you laugh until you cried. She loved her word puzzles, talking on the phone, and watching TV, especially game shows, Days of Our Lives, and Young and the Restless. When Lottie visited her family in Arkansas, she forced her family to play numerous card games of Bid Whist. Occasionally when she would come home, she would ask her brother, David Lee to take her fishing. Upon returning home, she often expressed how happy she was to be back. 

On the evening of April 3, 2024, Lottie slipped into her eternal sleep in her home. She was welcomed to her heavenly home in her parents' arms, her eldest daughter, Danita Penney; her eldest sister, Linda Louise Williams; and her eldest nephew and niece, Brian Penney, and Carlisha Williams.

Lottie leaves a lifetime of memories with her two children, Picola Taylor and Willie (Cabria) Darby, Jr. both of Jacksonville, FL; seven grandchildren: Shaniquia, Jacquese, Tamall, Chris, Jerrod, Tanae, and Jeremiah; one great-grandchild, Aaliya; six sisters and two brothers, Barbara Penney, David Lee Penney, Darlene (Luther) Ramsey, Debra (Milton) Allen, Sharon Bell, Sharron (Mark) Hearn, Danell Penney, and Christi (Keith) Nelson; aunts, Pearl Jenkins, Delores Dumes, PreElla Romar, and her special aunt whom she talked to nearly every day on the phone, Emma Hardamon as well as a host of nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, cousins, friends, and members of the Gurdon High School, Class of 1972. She will also be missed by her adopted church families Greater Tate Temple COGIC, Carrie Street Church of God, and her DaVita Dialysis friends. 

Submitted by the Penney Family.

There will be no public visitation. The family will receive friends from 6:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m., on Thursday, April 11, 2024, at the funeral home. Services will be at 2:00 p.m., on Friday, April 12, 2024, at Williams Funeral Home Chapel in Arkadelphia, Arkansas, with Supt. LeRoy Williams, eulogist. The interment will be at Kansas Cemetery Gurdon, Arkansas.