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.