Mary Helen Pennington, 87, Springfield, Missouri was born on January 5, 1935 to Clyde and Cloie (Burtner) McNabb in Marshfield, Missouri and departed this life on September 29, 2022.

Mary grew up on the family farm in Marshfield where she spent countless hours doing chores and playing with her siblings, cousins, and neighbors. Mary often talked about going to school at a very young age so that she could accompany her sisters on their walk to Miller School.

Mary met the love of her life, Don, in Marshfield during a Fourth of July parade. They were married on August 23, 1953—married for 47 years before his passing. Knowing their love and devotion for one another there is no doubt that their heavenly reunion was spectacular.

Mary was truly the happiest when her home was filled full of grandchildren and great grandchildren, fresh from an afternoon swim. She had a knack for filling every cookie jar with special treats that were often found by tiny hands with big smiles.

Mary was preceded in death by her husband, Don Pennington, her parents, Clyde and Cloie McNabb, her brother Richard McNabb, and her sister, Beverly Baldwin.

She is survived by her sisters Waynette Wetherington, Marquita Walker, and Natalie (Ron) Hill; her children Rod (Robin) Pennington, LaDonna (Matt) Stevens, and Chris Gray; her grandchildren Erin (Tim) Midyett, Ericka Wilson, Ashley (Heath) Berg, Courtney Collins, Megan Gray, Keith (Katie) Pennington; and ten great grandchildren Wilson, Harper and Violet Midyett, Brooklyn and Spencer Collins, Jasper and Cordelia Gilmore, Hadley and Hazel Berg, and Klaire Pennington.

A visitation will be held from 12:00 p.m. until 1:00 p.m. Thursday, October 6, 2022 in Gorman-Scharpf Funeral Home, Springfield, Missouri, with a graveside service beginning at 2:00 p.m. in Timber Ridge Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Rainbow Girls, Republic Association #84, c/o Paula Howell, 972 West Broad Street, Republic, MO 65738.