E. Adele Pennifill

COLFAX E. (Ellen) Adele Pennifill ("Adele"), 97, a long-time resident of Arlington and Fredericksburg, Virginia, died at 10 p.m., Wednesday, May 17, at River Landing in Colfax, North Carolina, where she resided. She was born May 8, 1920 in Washington, DC, to Mary Rebaze and Chris Panagopoulos. She married Howard Roland Pennifill in 1940. He passed away in 1962. Surviving are her two daughters, Carole Thwaits of Crimora, VA, Joan Des Jardin of High Point, NC; her son, Roger Pennifill of New York, NY; three granddaughters, two grandsons and eight great-grandchildren. She is also survived by a number of nephews and their families. Her mother, brother and sister and beloved husband preceded her in death. Adele was a long time resident of Arlington, VA, where, after losing her husband and becoming a young widow, she started working for the Arlington County School System, rising to clerk of the Arlington County School Board and raised her three beloved children Carole, Joan and Roger Pennifill. She loved cooking, sewing, and gardening and was an avid reader and life-long learner, with a great interest in science and nature. When she retired, she greatly enjoyed travelling. In her 70s, she received a Master Gardening certificate and was known for her beautiful iris plants of all colors and names. Adele maintained a flourishing garden well into her 90s. She was beloved for her many charitable activities. All who knew Adele loved her cooking, particularly her fabulous desserts. A celebration of life gathering in memory of Adele will be held at the main living room of River Landing, 1575 John Knox Drive, Colfax, NC 27235 on Sunday, May 21, 2017, from 1 until 3 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Habitat for Humanity, or Red Cross, which she supported. Online condolences may be shared at www.cumbyfuneral.com.