Hairston Funeral Home | Martinsville, VA

Obituary For Fannie E. Penn

Fannie Elizabeth Martin Penn, daughter of the late John Robert Martin and Lizzie Dalton Martin, was born on September 9, 1927, in Stoneville, North Carolina. She departed from this life to eternal rest on January 22, 2023, at her home.

In her early years, she attended the former Paw Paw School and later married the late Dallas Junior Penn on June 11, 1949. To this union, seven children were born.

Elizabeth, better known as “Sister”, attended Mayo Missionary Baptist Church for many years. She was an usher for 50 plus years, served on the Missions Ministry, and loved to sing in the Senior Choir. She loved flowers, gardening, and could make anything grow with her green thumb. When she was not outside, she enjoyed spending time with friends and family, listening to her gospel music, and praising God.

In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by a son, Robert Edward Penn, three sisters, Burley Martin, Mozella M. Smith, and Doris Bolden, and four brothers, Robert Lee, Glenn, Lindburg, and Odell Martin.

She leaves to cherish her memory: Four sons, Junior (Corene) Penn, Rosenberg, Texas, Larry (Hattie) Penn, Millersville, Maryland, Frank (Bonnie) Penn, Martinsville Virginia, David (Cassandra) Penn, Richmond, Virginia, two daughters, Loretta (Michael) Scales, Sandra (Sidney) Gentry, both of Martinsville Virginia, two brothers, James (Ann) Martin, Joe Louis (Ann) Martin, both of Stoneville, North Carolina, a host of grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces, and nephews.

A visitation service will be held on Friday, January 27, 2023, at 12:30 p.m. until the time of the funeral service at 1 p.m. at Mayo Missionary Baptist Church, 3554 Horsepasture Price Rd., Ridgeway, VA, with Pastor Dwight Mack, Eulogist. Burial will follow at the church cemetery. A public viewing will be held on Thursday, January 26, 2023, at Hairston Funeral Home between the hours of 1 p.m. until 5 p.m. Other times, the family will be receiving friends at the home, 994 Preston Rd., Martinsville.

To view live streaming of the funeral service, go to Hairston Funeral Home live on Facebook.

Arrangements are entrusted to Hairston Funeral Home.

Guest Book

To the Penn Family, My sincere condolences to you. I just heard of your lost. May God continue to strengthen you during this very sad time in your life. Sincerely, Vonzella Scales-Hill The Woodlands,Texas

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Sorry for your loss She is with the Master now you will see her again

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Brother Frank, Sister Bonnie and family, praying God will wrap His loving arms around you all and give you comfort and peace that only He can give. Love and Prayers. Sister Yvonne Foddrell

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To our cousin. We hope somehow you can feel all that our hearts want to say...and know how much caring and love goes out to you. Love, Linda, Lyndon, Jeff and our families.

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Our Deepest Thoughts, Sympathy & Prayers Go Out To The Fannie Penn Family. She May Be Gone But Not Forgotten; As She Was A Real Inspiration To Everyone She Met. Her Soul Is At Rest & Peace On Her Journey With The Lord Now. May God Continue To Bless The Penn Family Richly. From: Celeste, Shauny, Chris, Chey, Kai, Bryce, & Ray

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Our Deepest Sympathy, Thoughts & Prayers Go Out To The Fannie E. Penn Family. She May Be Gone, But Not Forgotten; As She Was A Real Inspiration To Everyone She Met. Praying That Her Soul Is At Rest & Peace On Her Journey With The Lord. May God Continue To Bless The Penn Family Richly From: Celeste, Shauny, Chris, Chey, Kai, Bryce & Ray

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Loretta, I sending hugs, thoughts and prayers to you and family. Much Love, Alvin Penn and Family

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Sandra, Loretta and the entire Penn and Martin families, we share in your mourning and in your rejoicing of Sweet Sister. Sister had such a wonderful presence at our family reunions. We will forever remember the love and respect shown to her as your family's matriach and,the love she had for all of her family. We pray that precious memories and God's love will comfort you today and in the days to come. Teresa Kellam Lowe and Family

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Taurice Penn, John and Gloria Keeling

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Thinking of you all at this time. Kim Dalton Thornton

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Frank, Bonnie and the entire Penn family our deepest sympathy in the loss of your loved one. You are in our prayers. Willie Mae and Peter Harris

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May God grant your family peace and comfort. We love you. Your Davis Family. Angela Davis

- Angela Davis Six

I extend sincerest condolences to the family of Ms Elizabeth. I am so grateful that I was blessed to spend quality time with such a wonderful woman. She will truly be missed but cherished forever. You're in my prayers and thoughts always. I love you all dearly. Donna Jones

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Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family at this time. Angelo and Tanisha Jones

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To Sandra & the Penn family, I am so saddened to hear of the passing of your mother. She was a beautiful lady inside an out. I know she will be deeply missed. My prayers are with you all. With love & sympathy. Paulette Hailey

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To my classmate and friend Sandra, sending love and condolences to you and your family. May God cover you and help you through. Eva and The entire Wade Family

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Mendi Our deepest sympathy to you and family for your loss. Your Debbie's Staffing Family

- Marshall C Eanes

Mendi My deepest condolences to you and family for your loss!

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Our thoughts and prayers are with you. She was definitely a beautiful & sweet person. Debra Parsons Buchanan Charles E. Williams, Jr.

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Loretta, Sandra and the rest of the Penn families. Maythe grace of God be with you today and the days ahead. You are in my thoughts and prayers. Love Giles and Verna

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Sandra, Loretta, and the Penn/Martin family, Sister Fannie, "Sister" - what a woman! She was a living testimony for Jesus Christ. I have known Sister Fannie my entire life and I can truly say she lived a Christian life. She accepted Jesus's invitation to eternal rest, but she left a beautiful legacy here on earth - you all, the children she adored. Continue to honor Sister Fannie by instilling her values in the future generations of your family. We love you, Dion and Joan

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To the Penn family: We were so saddened to hear of the passing of your dear mother. Our prayers go out to the entire family for our Heavenly Father to grant you the love, peace, comfort, and strength you will need to sustain you in the days to come. We have known your family for a long time and been friends for a long time. We have been where you are now and share in your loss. For the loss of one so dear, be encouraged and not sad. This was a life well lived and it spoke for itself. Now, it is a beautiful flower in a Heavenly garden blooming for us to see later. Hold fast to your faith and know you shall meet her again. Our sincere love and sympathy to you all. Ramona, Ronald, Ramon-Dawn, and Roy-Lavenia Hairston

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I thank God for the privilege of knowing Ms. Elizabeth. My condolences to you Sandra ,Sidney, Andrea, Antonio, Loretta, and the rest of the family. Rosabelle

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Ruby, Chad and Kamarri Amos

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Our thoughts and prayers are with the entire family. May God strengthen your hearts daily.

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Our staff will continue to keep your family in our prayers. We thank you for allowing us to serve your family.

- Hairston Funeral Home | Martinsville, VA