J. R. Penick

1925 - 2017

J.R. Penick, 92, passed away Saturday, November 11, 2017, at his home in Houston, Mississippi. Mr. Penick was born in Vardaman, Mississippi on May 28, 1925 to John Russell Penick and Grace Ferguson Penick.

Mr. Penick was a veteran of the United States Navy serving in WWII as a gunnery instructor. After the war he and his wife returned to Vardaman and he began his career as a sweet potato farmer, retiring as a President Emeritus of Penick Produce, Inc.

Throughout his career, he promoted sweet potatoes locally and on the national level. On January 23, 1964, Mr. Penick started the Sweet Potato Council for Mississippi. The following year, he joined with other sweet potato pioneers to create the Sweet Potato Council of the United States. He had the honor of serving two terms as President.

He was a beloved citizen of Houston for 62 years, where he was a member of First United Methodist Church and taught Sunday school. As a member of the Houston Exchange club, he sponsored horses for the Abused Children's Program. Mr. Penick was a member of the Vardaman Masonic Lodge for 60 years. His greatest passions were horses, hunting, fishing, and his love for wildlife and forestry. It brought him much joy to engage his family in these activities.

Mr. Penick was very proud of his family and their accomplishments. One quote he repeated constantly was "Anything worth doing is worth doing right."

The Funeral Service will be Wednesday, November 15, 2017 at 10:30 A.M. with Rev. Rex Wilburn and Dr. Rodger McGrew will be officiating.

Burial will be at Vardaman Cemetery in Vardaman, Mississippi.

Houston Funeral Home will be in charge of the arrangements.

Survivors include his wife, Mary Elizabeth Perkins Penick of Houston, MS., his daughters, Pamela Elizabeth (Robert) Langston of Atlanta, GA, and Mary Anne Penick of Olive Branch, MS, his son, Richard Terrell (Kay) Penick of Madison, MS., his sister, Mary Sue Wells of Vardaman, and one sister-in-law, Eve Penick of Vardaman, his grandchildren, Nicole Langston (Steven) Kennedy of Atlanta, GA, Anna Elizabeth Lowe of Madison, MS., Mary Grace (Jesse) Frohn of McComb, MS., Emily Kay (Chris) Decker of Tupelo, MS., John Russell Penick III, Caleb Christopher (Katelynn) Englert of Thorn, MS., Martin Addison Englert of Olive Branch, MS., Peter James Englert of Brooklyn, NY, David Raphael Englert of Fort Worth, TX., and his great-grandchildren, Jackson Kennedy, Madeline Grace Kennedy, Harrison Lowe, Anna Belle Lowe, Jack Decker, Charlie Decker, Ethan Decker, Richard Frohn, Vivian Frohn, and Russell Frohn, and a host of nieces and nephews.

Mr. Penick is preceded in death by his mother and father, his sister, Louise Penick (Meryle) Alford, his brothers, Charles Edward Penick, and Billy Thomas Penick, and a grandson, Douglas Allen Langston.

Pallbearers will be Caleb Englert, John Russell Penick, Martin Englert, Steven Kennedy, Peter Englert, David Englert, and Dr. Chris Decker.

Visitation will be from 4:00 P.M. until 6:00 P.M. on Tuesday, November 14, 2017 at Houston Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, Memorials may be made to:

Alzheimer's Association National Capital Area Chapter

8180 Greensboro Drive, Suite 400

McLean, VA 22102

Friends and family may leave a message at houstonfuneralhomems.com.