Anna F. Pennell

Anna F. Pennell, 93, of Jacksonville, IL, passed away Friday, Sept. 5, 2025, at The Grove Health and Rehab in Jacksonville.
She was born Dec. 31, 1931, in Jacksonville, the daughter of Cecil and Lillie Rose (Brummett) Fairfield. She married Donald Pennell and he preceded her in death.
She is survived by one daughter and three sons, Cynthia (Richard) Leake, Jeffrey (Vickie) Pennell, all of Jacksonville, Kevin Pennell of Oregon, and Timothy Pennell (JoAnne Nudelman) of Lafayette, IN; ten grandchildren, Heather Leake, Hannah (Travis) McGee, Travis Leake, Jared (Rachel) Leake, Zachary (Sarah) Pennell, Jacob (Samantha) Pennell, Sydney (Josh) Huck, Dustin Hayes, Nicole Pennell (fiancé, Joe), and Brian Pennell; fifteen great grandchildren, Madison, Brooklyn, Bryce, Adyson, Boyd, Logan, Ronin, Sebastian, Caspian, Wyatt, Lillie, Brooke, Jeffrey, Anna, and Landon; one great-great granddaughter, Miabella; eight sisters, Rose Wallbaum, Debbie Fairfield, Betty Cobb, Cecelia Fairfield, Edith Elliott, Esther Cook, Helen Fairfield, and Patsy Gibbs; three brothers, Charles "Butch" Fairfield, Larry Fairfield, and Raymond Fairfield; and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; five sisters, Wilma, Judy, Dorothy, Pearl, and Nancy; and three brothers, Donald, Clifford, and Dennis.
Mrs. Pennell was a 1950 graduate of Jacksonville High School. She worked at J.C. Capps & Sons in Jacksonville for many years until its closing. She later was a dorm supervisor at Illinois School for the Deaf until her retirement. In retirement, Ann was the cafeteria and playground monitor at Eisenhower School for many years. She enjoyed flowers and gardening and loved to read. She loved spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren. She will be remembered as having a "heart of gold."
A Celebration of Life Gathering will be held 1:30 PM Saturday, October 4, 2025, at Prairie Land Heritage Museum in South Jacksonville. The Williamson Funeral Home in Jacksonville is assisting the Pennell family. Condolences may be sent online at www.airsman-hires.com.