John David Pennebaker

NEW ALBANY – John David Pennebaker died Wednesday, March 9, 2016, at North Mississippi Medical Center in Tupelo, Mississippi. John David was born August 31, 1943, at Keelser Air Force Base, Biloxi, Mississippi, to the late Dr. David M. and Cleo Barkley Pennebaker. He was a graduate of Mississippi State University with a degree in Political Science and received his Juris Doctorate from the University of Mississippi.
John David was a member of New Albany Presbyterian Church. He served six years in the Mississippi National Guard and was a Staff Sergeant upon his discharge. He served as Mayor of New Albany, Mississippi, from 1969 until 1975, when he was elected to the Mississippi House of Representatives, District 14. He served Union County from 1976 until 1992, when he decided not to run for another term. During his tenure as a representative he served as Chairman of the Transportation Committee from 1980 until 1992. He was the author of the 1987 Highway Bill, a portion of this 1.6 billion dollar highway project that is now Interstate 22.
Service will be at 3:30 p.m. Saturday, March 12, 2016, at New Albany Presbyterian Church with the Rev. Bill Everett and the Rev. Mark Miller Officiating. Judge Michael P. Mills will deliver the eulogy. Burial will be at Ebenezer ARP Cemetery. United Funeral Service is in charge of arrangements.
He is survived by his wife of 48 years, Gwyn McGee Pennebaker, daughter Jennifer Whitehead (Brian) of New Albany, daughter Sallie Wilkerson (Don) of Oxford, and three grandchildren, Kelsey Whitehead, Mary Hannah Whitehead, and Charlie Wilkerson. Brothers Sam Pennebaker (Janie) of New Albany and Jeff Pennebaker (Connie) of LaPlace, Louisiana. He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Robert Pennebaker.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to the New Albany Presbyterian Church, or Ebenezer Presbyterian Church.
Visitation will be 5 p.m. until 8 p.m. Friday, March 11, 2016 at United Funeral Service. The Body will lie in repose from 2- 3:30 Saturday, March 12, 2016, at the church.
For condolences please visit www.unitedfuneralservice.com.