Mary Alyne Rasberry Penney, affectionately known as "Charlie", was born January 20,1934, in Rusk County, Texas to James L. Rasberry and Ruby F. Farris.
After a lengthy battle with dementia, Charlie passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on July 1, 2020 in Republic, Missouri. Mary's childhood years were spent in Rusk County, Texas, raised first by her grandparents, then after their passing she lived with her Aunt and Uncle until she was married in 1951 to Floyd D. Penney. She moved to Houston soon after with her husband to become the homemaker for the family. She entered the workforce in the 1960s, as a Bank Teller at the Republic State Bank in Pasadena, Texas. Largely self-taught, she worked as a bookkeeper in downtown Houston for All Right Parking and later for a doctor in Houston. She also worked as a bookkeeper for a construction equipment company, E.L. Lester and Co. based in Houston for several years. She completed her career for the oil rig construction company, Partin & Co. in Houston. After her retirement, she relocated to Springfield, MO to be near her daughter and granddaughters. Throughout her time on this earth, she lived her life as she taught us, "One day at a time."
Charlie was predeceased by her mother, Ruby Fae Farris, father, James Leonard "Lent" Rasberry, brother, Carl Leonard Rasberry, sister, Diane Winters. and brother, William Wilson, Jr. Charlie was also predeceased by her husband of 15 years, Floyd Denson Penney, whom she divorced in 1967.
She is survived by her sister, Paulette Winters; son, Ikey Denson Penney and his wife Penny Penney; daughter, Suzanne Penney Johnson and her husband Steve R. Johnson; son, David Lane Penney and his wife Carey Penney; sister, Dorothy Fay Winters Kasper and her husband Monroe Kasper; six grandchildren. Amber Nichol Johnson Clark and her husband Patrick Clark; Crystal Anne Johnson Young and her husband Michael Young; Ryan David Penney and his wife Katherine Penney; Ross Lane Penney and his wife Leslie Penney; Austin Chase Penney and his fiance Carli Madison March; and Pabtawan Penney; and three great grandchildren, Brenden Patrick Clark, Tate Robert Young and Cora Anne Young.
Charlie was a member of Wesley United Methodist Church in Springfield, Missouri and a former member of Holy Trinity United Methodist Church in Houston, Texas. With both of these congregations, she found what she referred to as a "Church home".
Charlie was never one to meet a stranger and had lasting friendships throughout her life. She went on many vacation adventures with her "church buddies" in Houston. She even went white water river rafting in her late fifties.
First and foremost in her life were her kids. She always said that was the absolute best thing that ever happened to her. She was a great listener and confidant. She also was a lover of animals. Throughout her life she had many beloved pets that she cherished.
A celebration of life will be held at a later date, due to the Covid-19 virus outbreak. Gorman-Scharpf Funeral Home in Springfield, Missouri will be handling the arrangements. The family requests in lieu of flowers please consider a memorial contribution in her memory to the Alzheimer's Association or C.A.R.E. Rescue of Springfield, Missouri.