Katherine Pennington Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

ST. ALBANS - Katherine Marie Pennington (né Bell), 56, of Saint Albans, passed away peacefully at home on Monday, June 19, 2017. Born on August 16, 1960 in Auburn, NY, she was the daughter of Carol Foulkrod (né Sautter) and the late Joseph Bell, Sr. Her family would later grow into a blended family that totaled 14 children. A mature child, she often took on the role of caregiver for her siblings. After graduating high school Kathy did what so many new adults did at the time and ran off to join the army. The army allowed her to see the world while she was stationed in faraway places such as Hawaii and Korea. Unsurprisingly, she trained to be a Patient Care and Medical Specialist so she could continue caring for others. She met and married her first husband, James C. Bell while serving overseas and chose to leave the army life while expecting their first child. Before long she was a cancer-surviving single mother of two, putting herself through nursing school. In 1989, she graduated from Corning Community College in Corning, NY. Shortly after relocating to southern WV in 1994 she was forced to battle cancer a second time, leaving her no longer able to work. Never one to be told what she cannot do, she filled her days helping others. Whether by crocheting blankets for anyone who would like one, buying for expectant mothers and children, assisting strangers in pursuing their VA benefits, etc, she helped countless people who will miss her dearly. It was during this time that she met retired SFC Larry Pennington Sr. They married in 1997. Together they continued to fill their days helping others. A third round with cancer in 2012 set her back, but not for long. Unfortunately, her heart had suffered too much damage over the years and despite fighting hard for the last 8 straight months, she finally sought her eternal rest. She will be well remembered for her great love for Christmas, her generosity, and her immeasurable love for her grandchildren. She was a member of the VFW Post 6418, the American Legion Post 73, the Women’s Veteran Support Group of Saint Albans, an Associate Member of the VVA Chapter 628, and the DAV Chapter 28 of which she was the Adjutant for many years. In addition to her father, she was preceded in death by her stepfather, Leroy Foulkrod; her ex-husband James C. Bell; and sister Elaine Morgan. In addition to her mother, survivors include her stepmother, Cora Bell of Blossvalle, NY; her husband of 19 years, Larry Pennington, Sr; her children Victoria (Jason) Crimmel of Hurricane, James (Allison Draper) Bell of Princeton, Terry (Tiffany) Pennington of Lexington, SC and Larry (Tammy Bryant) Pennington, Jr of Lenoir, NC; grandchildren, Gracelynn, Jonas & Silas Crimmel, Taylor, Titus & Tinsley Pennington, and Christopher “Alex” & Jazzlynn Pennington; siblings, Joseph (June “Termy”) Bell Jr. of Sayre, PA, Steven (Amy) Bell of Sayre, PA, Patricia (Albert) Northrup of Kegley, Milo (Norma) Bell of Matoaka, Brenda (Richard) Ernest of Matoaka, Mary Bell of NY, Jeremy (Darcey) Foulkrod of Horseheads, NY, Joseph (Cory) Bell of Durhamville, NY, Lee Brown of West Winfield, NY, Francis Brown of FL, Jean Brown of Gastonia, NC and Belinda Brown of Durhamville, NY; as well as countless nieces, nephews and in-laws. Funeral Services will be conducted at 1:00 p.m. Friday, June 23, 2017 at the Rowland H. Bailey Funeral Chapel of the Bailey-Kirk Funeral Home in Princeton with Pastor Kelly Lyle, officiating. Interment will follow at Roselawn Memorial Gardens in Princeton where military rites will be conducted by the Mercer County Veterans Honor Guard and the Vietnam Veterans Honor Guard. All are welcome to attend and celebrate Kathy’s life. Serving as pallbearers will be Teddy Billings, Jerry Pennington, Alex Pennington, William (Bill) Sneed, Seth Lafferty, Robert Northrop and Jonathan Laxton. Honorary pallbearers will be Jonas Crimmel, Silas Crimmel, William (Willie) Pennington and Titus Winston Pennington. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in her name to St Jude Children’s Hospital. Anyone that knew her knows that children - no matter who they belonged to - were always very important to her. As a three-time cancer survivor, we know that she would love to leave a legacy assisting children who shouldn't be suffering in that way. The family will receive friends Thursday, June 22, 2017 from 6-8 p.m. at the Bailey-Kirk Funeral Home in Princeton. Online condolences may be shared with the family at www.bailey-kirk.com.

Tributes

Katherine Pennington

August 16, 1960 - June 19, 2017