Penelope Jane (Wood) Kiel

1932 - 2021

Penelope Jane (Wood) (Searcy) Kiel, 88, of Panama City, FL, slipped silently into eternal rest at Ascension Sacred Heart Bay Medical Center on Tuesday, April 27, 2021 with family at her side.
She was born to Orville and Myrtle (Whittle) Wood on August 10, 1932. Jane was educated in Butler County, AL schools and graduated from Greenville, AL High School in 1950. She married James F. Searcy in Greenville, AL on November 10, 1950 and proudly supported him in his 20 year military career.
After Jim passed in 1975, she married Major Dale Kiel, (Ret.) in Memphis, TN in May of 1986. Her son, Buddy Searcy officiated in the ceremony.
After moving with her family to Enterprise she was employed at B.C. Moore. In 1972 she began work at the Army and Air Force Exchange system at Fort Rucker, AL retiring as customer support manager in August 1992.
Jane was a beautiful and vibrant person. She never met a person who didn't immediately love her. She loved the beach and could be found any weekend enjoying the sun, sand and water at Laguna Beach, FL. As anyone who knew her would tell you, her personal beauty was exceeded only by the inner beauty she brought to life. Upon her retirement, Jane and Dale built a home in Laguna Beach near the water. She enjoyed eating out and dancing as much as life itself. She looked forward to July vacations with Bobbi Spriggs, her good friend from the exchange, and football season where she could be heard in the next county yelling ""Roll Tide"".
One of her pleasant pastimes was walking on the beach to the Sunnyside Grill to have a glass of iced tea with Paul and Ruby. Next to sun and the beach she enjoyed befriending and feeding the birds and squirrels from her sun deck.
Jane was preceded in death by her husband, James F. Searcy Sr.; father, Orville and mother Myrtle (Whittle) Wood; her sister Jo Nell Wood Roper and Jo Nell's husband, Ed who she loved dearly.
Left to cherish her memory are her husband, Major Dale Kiel of Laguna Beach, FL; brother Harry Wood of Scotsdale, AL; daughter Fran (Searcy) Bannister of Lantana, FL; two sons Buddy (Teresa) Searcy of Memphis, TN, and David Searcy of Singer Island, FL, one grandson, Blake Bannister of West Palm Beach, FL; three step-sons, Jeffrey (Jennifer) Kiel, Chancellor, AL, Gregery (Deborah) Kiel, Brundidge, AL and Michael (Denise) Kiel, Enterprise, AL; two step-daughters, Jacqueline Kiel Newsome (Ricky), Enterprise,, AL and Michelle Kiel Bland (Robert), Enterprise, AL; numerous step-grandchildren, aunts, uncles and cousins.
Jane and her family wish to thank Dr. John Richards and staff, the angels and staff of Ascension Bay Medical Center ICU and PCU, especially Amanda who provided excellent care and comfort to her on her final days.
Funeral services will be held at 2:30 p.m., Friday, April 30, 2021 at Southerland Event Center, 1112 Ohio Ave., Lynn Haven, FL 32444. Interment will follow in Evergreen Memorial Gardens. The family will receive friends from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. prior to the service.
Flowers will be gratefully accepted. Anyone wishing to memorialize her may do so with a donation to their favorite charity. Expressions of sympathy may be viewed or submitted at www.southerlandfamily.com