Connie Penny Obituary
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Peggy Robardey Gatlin
August 26, 2017
Beautiful lady. One of my favorite people to work w/at Texas High. So sorry for your loss Precious.
Alice Henderson
August 5, 2017
Connie Trammel always recalled with glee and delight the time she and a group of Ashdown buddies traveled to T-Town to see an up-and-coming performer named Elvis Presley perform.....and he borrowed her blazer!
Her parents opened their home during our high school years for gatherings and even dancing; so much fun to remember. There wasn't a lot to do in a little town of only 1000 or so residents, and having a place to go on weekend nights was great. Connie always lit up a room with her humor and bright smile, and she gave back to everyone she knew.
Given her personality, I imagine there was laughter and dancing at the Golden Gates when she arrived. My condolences to her family in their loss, knowing that the memories she helped create will sustain them in the days ahead.
Holley Robinson
April 22, 2017
Mrs. Penny was such a wonderful teacher, and she always took time with each and every student. She was a great teacher, mentor, and friend to so many people. She was so proud of her family, and we as students were so fortunate to have her presence in our lives. Please know that we are praying for her family and are so sorry for your loss.
Carrie Slay (May)
April 21, 2017
She was the first person who wasn't related to me that actually made me believe I was smart, she believed I could do anything, and make sure I believed it too... The world is less without her.the best dyslexic therapist a girl could have! Wish I could have talk with her one better time. So sorry for your loss.
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Amanda Grant
April 18, 2017
Mrs. Penny was good person and teacher. She was my sister teacher tiger time and yearbook. Class 94. Rest peace Connie penny. Should going miss you so much. U always help each other out.
Me, receiving an award with my family
April Matthis
April 17, 2017
My deepest condolences to the family and loved ones of Mrs. Penny, a teacher who truly shaped my career trajectory. I started Journalism on the Yearbook and was subsequently promoted to Academics Editor. Not only did Mrs. Penny introduce me to desktop publishing (which would lead to a proofreading job after college), but she instilled in me leadership skills, honed my love of writing, and most importantly, a standard of excellence. With Mrs. Penny, I traveled to UT Austin for the first time, where I would go on to graduate with an English degree. While I eventually moved to acting after college, my appreciation for print has remained, and many of my peers have gone on to careers in journalism and other creative fields. I will always remember Mrs. Penny as a sophisticated, knowledgeable, and above all, caring female role model who made a tremendous impact on me in that pivotal time of adolescence. I am so grateful to have been one of her students.
Becky Bell
April 17, 2017
My heart dropped this morning when a classmate, Leah Rauch, texted me to tell me that our dear journalism teacher, Connie Penny had passed away. My best memories of Texas High School took place while working under her advisement for the Tiger Times newspaper and the always award winning yearbook. But Ms. Penny wasn't just a teacher, she was also a friend. She kept up with what we were doing and encouraged us to do our best and to think big. Her office door was always open whether you needed to talk about a story angle or to find a shoulder to cry on after the guy you asked to prom said no. We were so lucky to have someone like her in our young lives. She was an avid traveler and she took a number of students to New York City each year to pick up awards. It is because of these trips with Ms. Penny that I learned how terrifying taxi cab rides in NYC can be and I got to climb the Statue of Liberty. I also remember how we once had a great edition of Tiger Times that featured a centerpiece on gun violence which was something we all worried about in the mid-90s. Administration made us pull them from the shelves, but if I remember correctly, Ms. Penny told us to go and get our hard worked for edition and distribute it. She had such a zest for life and I doubt I would have gone on to become a reporter if it had not been for her influence. I'm so sorry I didn't do a better job keeping up with you after high school but you shall live in my memories and many others forever. God Bless you Connie. R.I.P. Love, Becky Bell, class of 1994
Randy Wilson
April 17, 2017
Mrs. Penny was a ray of sunshine in my life and the lives of so many others. You have our deepest condolences on her passing.
Janet York
April 17, 2017
So sorry to hear about Connie, she was a very special person.
Janet
Angie Dailey
April 17, 2017
So saddened to hear of Mrs Penny's passing. She was a wonderful lady who so lovingly, wholeheartedly breathed self-esteem into my son, Marc, when he was
struggling in Elementary school. She helped us to figure out that he was dyslexic.
She loved on him and helped him to develop a "Can Do" attitude when it came to
reading. They once read a story in her class entitled, "Thunder Cake." Marc being the sweet child he is, went home that evening and made "Mrs Tonnie Pineee", as he called her, her very own Thunder Cake. Although he is now a Junior in High School, he still remembers her positive impact on him. He truly loved her, as she did him. Our prayers are with the Penny family during this time. God bless you all!
Charlotte Ayers
April 16, 2017
I have so many good memories of Connie. My best is when she agreed to do the closing programs for Bible School. They were wonderful and the kids love it.
I admire her fighting spirit love for those that she taught, She has taught many kids over the years.
Connie, you will be missed by so many including me. Will be looking for you when Jesus calls me home.
Leah Rauch
April 16, 2017
I am so very sad to hear about the death of Mrs. Penny. Just found out and feel like I am at a loss for words. Without a doubt, she was the teacher who had the most profound impact on my life.
I loved my days on her newspaper and yearbook staffs at Texas High. She encouraged me as a writer, and she became a trusted source of advice and counsel.
So many students loved her. So many students found a place to be themselves in her classroom. And so many students grew to love her as a friend.
I will never forget the first trip I took with her -- to UT-Austin for a journalism workshop. I traded in plans to call the Hogs as a college student for plans to attend this amazingly diverse and fascinating campus. I experienced so many wonderful things, and have so many cherished memories from my teenage years, because of Connie Penny.
She was, in a word -- AWESOME.
Dot Carmichael Newman
April 16, 2017
Loved working across the hall and then down the hall from Connie at Texas High for many years. Our daughters grew up together and were dear friends long after high school. Fun, funny, optimistic, encouraging. We all loved Connie and the Penny family. One beautiful lady, inside and out. Her yearbooks endure as creative, award winning testimonials to way she inspired and guided her students. My condolences to the family that has already suffered a stunning loss this year. My prayers are with you.
Glenna (Avery) Bennett
April 16, 2017
I worked with Connie at Texas High for many years. But, I first knew her as a teacher when I was in the 10th grade. She was teaching at Arkansas High and was only about 11 years older than the 10th grade class. She and her husband took a group of us on a trip to the Grand Canyon, Painted Desert, Disney World, and Mexico. What a wonderful memories she gave us. I know she continued in her teaching to give wonderful memories to all her students. She will be missed. My thoughts and prayers are with the family.
Genevieve Wood
April 16, 2017
"Go for it!" Those are the words I heard her say so many times. Whether it was when applying to be yearbook editor, heading out on stage at the Perot to emcee the Miss Texas High pageant, or saying I wanted to work at NBC News in New York...every time I'd hear, "Go for it." And you knew, I knew, she meant it. I had many good teachers at Texas High, but Mrs. Penny was more than good - she was special. Next to my parents, I have to say she and the Penny family had more influence on me than anyone else during my high school years. Her daughter Precious was my best friend and through that friendship I also got to see the Mrs. Penny who was a mom, a wife, and an aunt. She was one of those people you loved to be around because she loved you and she loved life. I'm very thankful to God for making her a part of my life and pray He will bless Mr. Penny and Phil, and all those who loved her and miss her, with the peace that comes from knowing Him and His promise of eternal life. I believe Mrs. Penny is at peace. But I don't think she's resting. I think she's dancing. To all the Penny's and Trammell's, I love you all!
Venda Burkett
April 15, 2017
Phillip, so sorry to hear about Connie. You have our deepest sympathy.
Nicole Dudley
April 15, 2017
Comfort & Prayers to Y'all at this difficult time
Kirkpatrick
April 15, 2017
Lacrecia
Laurie Waters Hardwick
April 15, 2017
I was privileged to be a senior at Texas High School during Mrs. Penny's first year teaching journalism at the school. I was editor of the school newspaper and am so grateful to have been able to have enjoyed a year under Mrs. Penny's expertise and guidance. She made learning fun and taught us all how to work together as a team to reach a common goal. Thanks to her influence I studied journalism at the University of Texas at Austin and have enjoyed a long career using the skills she taught me.
She was not only a wonderful teacher--she was great and supportive friend. My family moved from Texarkana after I graduated, so I was not able to stay in touch with Mrs. Penny as I would have liked, but I have thought of her often during the past 40 years. I know she will be very much missed by those who loved her and learned from her.
I hope that your memories will comfort you during your time of loss.
Laurie Waters Hardwick
Al & Deborah Garrett
April 15, 2017
Mrs. Penny was my English teacher at Ashdown High in the 70's. Phillip worked my husband, Al at Domtar. We are so sorry for your loss. Mrs. Penny was an awesome teacher! We pray that the peace of Jesus Christ abides in your hearts and the comfort of the Holy Spirit rest in your spirits for now and evermore! Amen.
Dean and Peggy Dierks
April 15, 2017
Prayers for the family
Sherri Taylor
April 15, 2017
Connie and I taught several yearbook workshops together over the years. She also brought me to her school to work with her staffs. She was a fabulous, enthusiastic teacher who was loved by her students. My condolences to the family.
MELBA WOOD
April 15, 2017
So many wonderful, happy, fun and serious moments of friendship with Connie! She will always be the "SPARKLE" in my fond memories of her.
Jennifer Cannon Moore
April 15, 2017
Mrs. Penny was my (and many others') journalism teacher. After I graduated, I was kind of floundering. Mrs. Penny asked for and got approval for an "assistant journalism adviser." At 18 years old, it was my first teaching job. Toward the end of the 94-95 school year, I decided to go to the University of Arkansas. I told Mrs. Penny, and she immediately arranged a trip for the two of us to Fayetteville. We stayed with Precious, met with the then-head of student publications, and left with me employed as the student publications' girl Friday for the 95-96 school year. She was instrumental in me becoming the woman I am today. Her influence is with me every day when I step foot in my classroom. Rest in peace, Mrs. Penny.
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371 N 3rd Street PO Box 428, Ashdown, AR 71822
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