BARBARA MAE WHITNEY YOUNG PENN, the only beautiful daughter of the late Lurnetta Anita Whitney and the late Timothy Eric Whitney was born in Jersey City, New Jersey. She was the only girl of six children.

Barbara graduated in June of 1960 from Lincoln High School, Jersey City where she was Captain of the Majorettes for four years. Her life in Jersey bonded close and lifelong friends.

In June of 1961, she married Edward Hylon Young in Silver Spring, Maryland. The marriage produced three children, Lurnetta Marie, Edward Hylon and Andre Ricardo Young. In 1967, Barbara moved back to Harrisburg, PA for a new start. In 1969, Barbara became the first black bank teller at the Hamilton Bank on Market Street, Harrisburg, PA.

From 1961 to 1979 were years of learning, exploring, parenting, venturing and broadening her horizons, experiencing independence. Barbara grew in her relationship with God. She was a 25-year member of Second Calvary Baptist Church, 2940 Corprew Avenue, Norfolk, VA 23504 under Pastor Jeffrey V. Guns where she served as secretary of Feed the Aides Patients.

In 1979, she married Tony William Penn of Arlington, VA, they had one son Jonathan Marshall Penn in July of 1981.

In 1985, a tragic house fire in Harrisburg prompted Barbara to relocate again to Atlantic City Absecon, N.J. She became an Entrepreneur and opened up a hat shop called Barbara’s Hat Gallery.

Finally, she and Jonathan moved to Norfolk, VA following after her brother, Tim. Suffolk, VA was the family’s paternal ancestorial place where she felt at home near the ocean. She worked at Crestar Bank in Norfolk for seven plus years and the Hipage company (Shipping) for five years. She retired after heart surgery in 2001.

At the age of 82 years, Barbara Whitney Young Penn peacefully transitioned into eternal life on Tuesday, August 20, 2024, in the peace and love of her home in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by four brothers, Raymond Howard Whitney, Timothy Eric Whitney, Kenneth Arthur Whitney and Thomas Edward Whitney.

Barbara leaves to celebrate her life and legacy, her four children, Lurnetta, Edward, Andre and Jonathan; her brother, John Baylor Whitney and his wife Elizabeth; her 12 grandchildren and seven great grandchildren; many nieces and nephews, other relatives and friends.

Her life will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, August 26, 2024 in the Sanctuary of Living Water Community Church, 206 Oakleigh Avenue, Harrisburg with viewing and visitation from 10:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. and entombment in Blue Ridge Memorial Gardens, Harrisburg.