Obituary of Clara Pennington

Mrs. Clara Norris Pennington of Boone passed away Friday afternoon, September 6, 2019, transitioning from being a living angel to one in heaven. She lived her 88 years humbly serving God and all those fortunate enough to be in her orbit. She raised her family with the love and compassion that only a very strong woman could. In good times and bad, her quiet wisdom helped bring calm. She remained active in church and community until the end and sponsored children she never met all around the globe for many decades so that they might have a better chance in life. In short, she was truly a living saint. She loved deeply, gave freely and will be profoundly missed. "We love you Mom. You will live forever in the kingdom of God and in the hearts of all whose lives you have touched. You keep Dad in line up there!" Born February 25, 1931 in Watauga County, she was a daughter of H. Earl and Mary Lyons Norris. Mrs. Pennington was an active member of Bethany Lutheran Church. In addition to being a wife and mother, she was employed as a registered mail clerk for the US Postal Service. Mrs. Pennington is survived by her daughters, Mary Frances Pennington Groff and husband, Edward, of Banner Elk and Beverly Pennington Wood and husband, Skip, of Boone; sons, Dennis Pennington of Stafford, VA, Wayne Pennington of Boone, and Kevin Pennington of Reston, VA; and twelve grandchildren and eleven great-grandchildren. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Lloyd Ralph Pennington; brothers, Willis, Merrill and Billy Norris; and sister, Betsy Howell. Memorial services for Clara Pennington will be conducted Tuesday morning, September 10, 2019 at 11 o'clock at Bethany Lutheran Church, officiated by Pastor Laura Weant. A reception will follow services at the church. Entombment will be in the Old Mount Pleasant Cemetery Columbarium. If you would like to donate, the family suggests memorial donations to Bethany Lutheran Church, 1030 Big Hill Road, Boone, NC 28607. Online condolences may be shared at the website www.austinandbarnesfuneralhome.com Austin & Barnes Funeral Home and Crematory is serving the Pennington family.