Rebecca (Becky) Pennel Young left this world just past midnight on November 16, 2023 to rest in the bosom of her family and friends who left before her.

Becky was born to Opal and Carl Pennel on January 19, 1935. She was the third child of eight. She wasn't the oldest but she had a take charge demeanor all her life.

A bright and engaged student, she skipped several grades to graduate from Republic High School in 1951. Her parents encouraged all their children to attend higher education and Becky was no exception. She graduated from SW Baptist College in 1953 and finished her undergraduate degree at SW Missouri State in 1955.

She met the love of her life, Charles Young, at Tatum Chapel in Greene County. They corresponded and dated for a time and married in December of 1955. Charles proceeded her in death in 2010, and Becky missed him terribly for the rest of her life.

Charles was in the Navy at the time of their marriage.  They transferred shortly to the Air Force because there were fewer remote Air Force Bases than ships in the fleet. Even so their life was one of moving about the country and even overseas during his service. They were in Alaska when it became a state and had a great time living in Spain from 1966-69. Their well loved children, Chuck and Karen, had tons of fun going along on these adventures.

Becky worked in schools in Waukegan, IL; Anchorage, AK; Bossier City, LA; Torrejon, Spain; Montgomery, AL; Willard MO; and Springfield, MO. Well loved by her students, she pushed them to excel and be the best they could be.

When they retired from the Air Force in 1971, Becky and Charles moved back to the Springfield area. They built a home in the Schuyler Community with their own hands and the help of family. They lived there until 1997 at which point they moved to a smaller home in Springfield MO.

Music was the major focus and love in her life. Her study with Ila Dixon at SMS was an important milestone in her life. She was an accomplished organist, pianist, and choral director. She played professionally everywhere she and Charles lived. After moving to Springfield, she was the principal organist at Grace United Methodist from 1974-2000. After her "retirement," she realized she wasn't really ready to give up on the music and continued to play at St. John's United Church of Christ, Campbell United Methodist, and at the Baptist home in Ozark where she lived from 2017-2023. Her membership in the American Guild of Organist and Keyboard gave her great pleasure.

One of the most delightful parts of her music life was the Springfield Keyboard group. This group of musicians always had a great time when they met and played together. The concerts performed by this talented group at Kingsway United Methodist were a tour de force not to be missed.

She made history in 1972 by becoming the first woman elected to the school board of Willard, MO.

Her organizational skills were relied on by First Baptist Church when she became the Financial Secretary and help usher the church into the modern age using computers to manage data. She also managed Dennis Smith's Missouri State Senator Springfield office during his tenure.

One day before she left for work she was asked by her grandson Christopher, "Do you really have to go to work, Grandma?"  She tendered two week notice that day. For many years after, she and Charles went hither and yon on countless adventures with her beloved grandsons.

In 2013, Southwest Baptist University bestowed their Life Service Award in recognition of her years of service and dedication to the school.

She is survived by her daughter Karen (Lyndall) Dodson, son Chuck (Deana) Young, brothers Leon (Judy) Pennel and Don (Jean) Pennel, sister-in-laws Patsy Pennel, Diane Pennel, Paula Pennel, and Georgia Herod, grandchildren Christopher (Sarah) Dodson and Stephen Dodson, great grandchild Charlie Dodson, nieces and nephews, and so many friends from so many different parts of her life who will miss her presence.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Opal and Carl Pennel, sister Carlene Pennel, brothers Franklin, Gayle, Lawrence, and Larry Pennel, sisters-in-law Cheryl Pennel and Joyce Pennel, extra special nephew Gene, and many, many close friends.

Visitation will be at Grace United Methodist 600 S Jefferson, Springfield MO on November 21, 2023 at 10:30 am with service to follow at noon. Burial will be at 2 pm at the Missouri Veterans Cemetery, 5201 S Southwood Rd, Springfield MO.

There are groups she was passionate about and spent many hours volunteering and promoting these causes. So in lieu of flowers please donate in Becky's honor to Salvation Army, 1707 W Chestnut Expressway, Springfield, MO 65802, Convoy of Hope, PO Box 1125, Springfield, MO 65801, Habitat for Humanity, 2410 S. Scenic Ave, Springfield, MO 65807 or The Baptist Home, 1625 W Garton Rd, Ozark, MO 65721.

And now as we bid her adieu, we say in her memory, "Go in peace."