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BORN
1954
DIED
2024
Rufus Pennington Obituary
He was born October 24, 1954, to Norma Cahoon Pennington and Terry Ellis Pennington Jr. in Memphis, TN. His family moved to Byhalia in 1968, where he was later married to his high school sweetheart Rosemary M. Pennington, who was his devoted companion for 51 years until separated by death. While completing his travel assignments for the Iron Workers Union, he founded Pennington Welding Shop and Crane Rental of Byhalia, MS in 1977. Rufus was a fervent servant of the Lord Jesus Christ since his youth, faithful father and grandfather, deacon at Faith Baptist Church of Barton, MS for 40 years and a Gideon. He was a selfless member of his community through the Chamber of Commerce, local employee training, and 41 years of emergency work with the Byhalia Volunteer Fire Department. ?
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Rufus' legacy lives on through his wife Rosemary, his children Alicia Marie Graham (Doug) of Memphis, TN and Russell Ellis Pennington (Amanda) of Byhalia, MS, and his grandchildren, Gaven Rose Waldrop, James Ellis Pennington, Silas Hudson Pennington, Jonah Blaine Pennington, and Emma Jane Pennington. He also leaves behind his siblings Curtis Oldham Pennington (Lynne) of Byhalia, MS, Brenda Fay (Pennington) Branstetter (Kenny) and Michael Martin Pennington (Debbie) of Chattanooga, TN, Annette (Pennington) Crum of Heth, AR, Bennie Earl Davis Jr. of Crystal Springs, MS, and Michael Eugene Davis of East Prairie, MO.
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Rufus was preceded in death by his father, mother, stepmother Carolyn Ann Pennington, stepfather Bennie Earl Davis Sr., half-sibling Bert Lee Pennington, and stepsiblings Thomas Jasper Davis, Paul Edward Davis, and Sherry Lynn (Davis) Haggins. ?
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His celebration of life will be held on June 22 at Faith Baptist Church, 3964 Hwy 309 North, Byhalia MS, with visitation from 11AM to1PM and service at 1PM. ?Interment will follow at Forest Hill Memorial Park-Midtown, 1661 Elvis Presley Blvd., Memphis, TN 38106 at 3:00 PM. All are invited to a time of joy, fellowship, and storytelling at 6 PM back at Faith Baptist on Saturday, June 22nd.
Love gifts can be sent directly to Rosemary via CashApp @ $RoseP1954, or memorials to Faith Baptist Church at P.O. BOX 878, Byhalia, MS 38611 and Gideon's International.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Rufus Pennington
6 Entries
Chief Les King
June 24, 2024
The Member's of the Byhalia Volunteer Fire Department extends our Condolences. You will be truly missed.
John Armour
June 23, 2024
You were a great man Mr. Rufus, and it was a pleasure working with you. You will be missed by so many. R.i.p.
Charles Murphy and family as well as Quality Tree
June 22, 2024
In loving memory of a wonderful person. We will love you and miss you always. Rufus was truly a wonderful gentleman there will never be another one like him!!! We will miss you dear friend and we won't say goodbye we will say see you in Heaven!!! Love everyone at Quality Tree Work!!!
Jennifer Riley
June 20, 2024
Jennifer Riley we will miss you rip my heart and soul and my thoughts and prayers and condolence to y'all all love you
Barbara Courson Davis
June 20, 2024
Rufus was a Man of God he share all the time his love for Christ .He was a wonderful husband and he was a wonderful father Rosemary and family May God Bless you all my thoughts and prayers and condolences to you all . Love in Christ The Courson Family Barbara, Gloria, and Jennifer,and Andrew Courson . And from heaven Travis Oneal Courson
John Loveless
June 20, 2024
I once told my bride that there are two people I have meet in my life that I would strive to be like. One was my dad and the other was Rufus Pennington. So proud to have known Rufus and the love he has for Jesus and his beloved wife Rosemary. A pillar in our community for many many years and example to all. Thoughts and prayers to his Rosemary -Russell-and Alicia. Thank you Rufus for all you have done. A life well lived.
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